Bayheartgroup.com

INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC TEST:
DOBUTAMINE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM
ABOUT THE TEST: A dobutamine stress echocardiogram is a test that helps your doctor see
how wel your heart pumps when it is made to work harder. Using a smal hand-held device
(cal ed a transducer) which is moved over your chest, sound waves are bounced off your
heart and the “echo” of those sound waves is captured and turned into images on a monitor.
The images show the structure and movement of your heart before and under the stress ofa faster heart rate. These images provide your doctor valuable information about the wayyour heart is functioning when you are at rest and when you work.
EXAM TIME:
Approximately 1 hour.
Arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time.
PREPARATION: A) Do not eat or drink anything for three hours before the test.
B) Do not have any caffeine the day of your test (this includes decaffeinated beverages such as coffee tea, or soda). You mayconsume caffeine after the exam.
C) No body oils, lotions, or powders to the chest on the day of test as these keep the electrodes from sticking. You may wear underarmdeodorant.
D) Wear loose comfortable clothing (no dresses ladies).
E) Please refer to Page 2 to see if you wil need to stop taking any F) On the day of your scheduled stress test please do not bring any
minor children under the age of 18 without another supervising
adult. Should there be an emergency, we are unable to accommodate
them. Nor do we have the staff to supervise them during the exam.
Additionally, family and friends are required to wait in the lobby
during the exam
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FOR THE TEST:
You wil lie on your back and left side on a table and your heart rhythm and blood
pressure wil be monitored. A smal I.V. wil be started. Then, a first set of “echo”
images taken. Upon the doctor’s arrival the dobutamine wil be given in smal amounts
ranging from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. During this time, ultrasound images wil also be
taken. You may be asked to take a deep breath from time to time. Once your heart
rate reaches a targeted range, the medication wil be turned off and you wil continue
to be monitored until your heart rate returns to normal.
\\Mojo\office_documents\Forms_office\Dobutimine_Stress_ Echo.doc; 9/26/2012 PLEASE DO NOT TAKE ANY OF THESE MEDICATIONS
THE DAY BEFORE OR THE DAY OF THE TEST
BETA BLOCKERS
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS
**PLEASE NOTIFY THE OFFICE PRIOR TO YOUR TEST IF YOU HAVE A
HISTORY OF SEVERE LUNG DISEASE AND ARE ON ANY PULMONARY
MEDICATIONS SUCH AS INHALERS OR BRONCHODIALATORS
(I.E., SPIRIVA, ALBUTEROL, ADVAIR, THEOPHYLLIN OR UNIPHYL).**
\\Mojo\office_documents\Forms_office\Dobutimine_Stress_ Echo.doc; 9/26/2012

Source: http://www.bayheartgroup.com/patient_forms/DOBUTAMINE_STRESS_ECHOCARDIOGRAM_2012_09.pdf