The procedure will be explained to you before the test which is performed in the Non-Invasive Cardiac Laboratory. The test takes about 1 hour in total and you will be able to go home after a short 20-minute rest upon completion of the test.
To facilitate the attachment of ECG electrodes to the chest, male patients will be asked to remove their shirts. Female patients may be asked to change into special gowns for the purpose of attaching electrodes. Multiple electrodes will be placed on your chest to monitor the heart rhythm. Excess chest hair may be removed to facilitate this.
A small plastic tube or cannula will be inserted into the vein of your arm for the infusion of dobutamine. Throughout the test, you will be lying on your left side while your blood pressure and ECG is monitored. You may also be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time.
A water soluble gel is applied on the chest before, during and after dobutamine infusion to improve the image quality of the heart muscle.
During the examination, it is normal to feel your heart beating faster and harder. You may also feel slightly short of breath. These are the effects of dobutamine stimulation, and will resolve once the infusion is discontinued. Infrequently, dobutamine alone may not be sufficient to increase the heart rate fast enough for an accurate test. Another medication called atropine may then be injected in addition to increase the heart rate.

Inform Your Doctor On:
- If you are taking any medications for high blood pressure and/or heart diseases which may slow down the heart rate. These medications should not be taken 24 to 48 hours prior to the test, except in specific clinical situations. Please check with your doctor about this.
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Any history of prostate problems or acute glaucoma, a condition causing pain in the eye due to excessively high pressure in the eyeball. You should not receive atropine if you have these conditions.
Ultrasound is extremely safe and has no significant side effects, even with repeated examinations.
Minor adverse effects of dobutamine include:
- Palpitations (Heart beating faster and/or harder)
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Flushing
These are temporary and will disappear within minutes after the test is terminated. Leakage of the drug at the infusion site may cause local pain and inflammation.
Some atropine side effects include:
- Blurring of vision
- Dry mouth
- Flushing
- Abdominal discomfort
- Retention of urine
As atropine persists for a longer time in the body than dobutamine, these symptoms may last up to few hours after the test.
Major complications are very rare with close monitoring and expert supervision of the procedure.
Various medications are available to counter the side effects but the symptoms usually resolve by themselves. If you experience chest pain or any other discomfort during the test, please inform the cardiac technologist or supervising doctor.
The results and the next step of your treatment will be discussed during the next appointment with your doctor. If the test result is significantly abnormal, he/she may recommend to proceed with invasive coronary angiography.
In the event where urgent medical attention is required, proper measures will be taken, which may include prompt admission to the hospital or rescheduling your next doctor's appointment to an earlier date.