What is a Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE)?
Dobutamine stress echocardiogram is a variant of exercise stress echocardiography and mainly used in people who are unable to exercise on a treadmill. It takes about an hour to complete.
Dobutamine is a drug that causes your heart to work harder, like it would during exercise.
What’s involved in DSE?
Everything we do is done to give you the best experience possible through your treatment and beyond. Your care team is here to make sure you’re comfortable and confident about your procedure.
Here’s a quick look at what you can expect.
- The test takes just 1 hour to complete.
- You’ll be asked to lie down throughout the test.
- A cannula will be placed in your arm to administer the dobutamine.
- An inflatable cuff will be placed on your arm to measure blood pressure and sensors on your chest to measure your heart’s activity.
- At the beginning of the test your heart will be imaged using ultrasound (called echocardiography). The technician will put a thick gel on your chest, which may feel cold but is not harmful. Then, the technician will use a hand-held piece of equipment (called a transducer) to send and receive sound waves on your left side, over your heart.
- The technician will press firmly as they move the transducer across your chest and you will be asked to briefly hold your breath at times during the test.
- Dobutamine will be administered through the cannula. As the dose is increased, your heart will pump harder and faster and the technician will take images of your heart with the echo machine throughout.
- After the procedure one of our cardiologists will discuss the results with you.
- An official report will be sent to your referring doctor.
View our patient preparation information PDF.
Patient preparation information
The test is used to examine your heart and valve function when you are unable to exercise. You will be asked to lie on your left side on an examination couch. Your ECG and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the test.
Initial ultrasound images of the heart will be taken from different areas of your chest. A small needle is inserted into a vein and Dobutamine (which is a medication that we use to stress the heart) will be delivered directly into your body.
- Bring a list of your current medications.
- Do not eat anything for 3 hours prior to the test.
- You may drink water up to 30mins prior to the test.
- Wear a 2 piece out-fit and comfortable footwear.
- You will need to undress to the waist.
- Men may require part of the chest to be shaved.
- Electrodes will be placed onto the chest and an ECG lead connected.
- You will be supervised by a team of trained personnel.
- Your blood pressure, pulse rate and electrocardiogram will be monitored continuously.
- You will need to lie on your left side and initial ultrasound images will be taken.
- A needle will be inserted into a vein in the forearm.
- Subsequent ultrasound images will be taken.
- You will be monitored for 5 minutes upon completion of the test.
- You will be asked to remain seated in reception for a further 10 minutes to ensure you are fully recovered prior to leaving the medical centre.
- A full report will be sent to your Doctor.
The test is used to examine your heart and valve function when you are unable to exercise. You will be asked to lie on your left side on an examination couch. Your ECG and blood pressure will be monitored throughout the test.
Initial ultrasound images of the heart will be taken from different areas of your chest. A small needle is inserted into a vein and Dobutamine (which is a medication that we use to stress the heart) will be delivered directly into your body.
- Bring a list of your current medications.
- Do not eat anything for 3 hours prior to the test.
- You may drink water up to 30mins prior to the test.
- Wear a 2 piece out-fit and comfortable footwear.
- You will need to undress to the waist.
- Men may require part of the chest to be shaved.
- Electrodes will be placed onto the chest and an ECG lead connected.
- You will be supervised by a team of trained personnel.
- Your blood pressure, pulse rate and electrocardiogram will be monitored continuously.
- You will need to lie on your left side and initial ultrasound images will be taken.
- A needle will be inserted into a vein in the forearm.
- Subsequent ultrasound images will be taken.
- You will be monitored for 5 minutes upon completion of the test.
- You will be asked to remain seated in reception for a further 10 minutes to ensure you are fully recovered prior to leaving the medical centre.
- A full report will be sent to your Doctor.
