The Heart Center at St. Rita's
Stress Test
(Echocardiogram using Pharmaceuticals)
Dobutamine Stress Echo

A dobutamine (drug) stress echo is a test that combines an ultrasound study of the heart with a resting stress test. This test is usually done for patients that are unable to adequately exercise.

What You Should Know
On the day of the test, you will need to register in Outpatient Registration Area on first floor of the Medical Center behind the Information Desk. Plan to arrive one hour before your scheduled test time. Following registration, you will be directed to Cardiopulmonary Services on the second floor for the stress test.

To prepare for this test:

    Stress Test
  • No Drinking or Eating for Three Hours Before the Test
  • Take All Medication as Scheduled with Small Sips of Water, Unless Otherwise Directed by the Ordering Physician
  • No Smoking for Two Hours Before the Test
  • Bring in a List of Medications, Dosage and Frequency
  • Do Not Take Beta-Blocker Medications

An informed consent must be signed by you and the cardiologist performing the test. Patches will be applied to your chest area and attached to an ECG machine, which will monitor the heart throughout the test. An IV will be started to administer medication. You will then be instructed to lie on your left side on a table. The technician will take pictures of your heart and store them on a disk and videotape.

After the doctor arrives, the dobutamine (medication) will be started in the IV. This will cause the heart rate to increase gradually. You will remain lying on the examination table while the technologist takes echo pictures at several intervals determined by the dose of the drug given. Pictures will again be repeated when the heart rate returns to normal. After the test is completed, the doctor will compare the pictures taken throughout the test. This will show how the heart responds to the stress induced by the drug.

The test will take about one to one and a half hours to complete . The patient's vital signs will be monitored until they return to baseline readings. The physician conducting the test may give you preliminary results at the completion of the test. However, some physicians prefer to send the results to the ordering physician for you to discuss the results with their physician.

For More Information
(419) 226-9077
Map & Directions Map & Directions

 

Scheduling:
An appointment is required. To schedule an appointment, contact
St. Rita’s Central Scheduling at
(419) 226-9056, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.