Stress Echo, or dynamic echocardiography, is a specialized technique used to diagnose coronary artery disease and assess cardiac function by imaging the heart under stressful conditions. Compared to the stress test, the test has a much higher diagnostic accuracy, and is preferred in patients with cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, hereditary history, etc.) or patients with already known coronary artery disease (balloon stent, bypass, previous myocardial infarction). It is also indicated in patients who cannot walk fast on an escalator or have resting electrocardiogram changes.
The subject receives a special drug, dobutamine, through a venous catheter while lying down, resulting in an increase in heart rate, as would occur during intense exercise. During the test, the subject is given an echocardiogram to monitor the response of the heart, while an electrocardiogram is continuously recorded. The test takes approximately 30 minutes, but the subject remains in the clinic for a further 30 minutes until the heart function returns to normal. He can then continue his programme without restriction.