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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Cardiac Stress Test Induced by Dobutamine and Monitored by Cardiac Catheterization in Mice
Published on: February 10, 2013
Safety of contrast dobutamine stress echocardiography: a single center experience
Jonathan Timperley1, Andrew R J Mitchell, Helene Thibault
1Department of Cardiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK. jon.timperley@orh.nhs.uk
Background:
Contrast is increasingly being used during dobutamine stress echocardiography. However, there are few data regarding the safety of this combination.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed 751 consecutive stress echocardiograms, 332 without contrast and 419 with contrast (299 with Sonouve, 120 with Optison). Reported side effects and physiologic data were then compared.
Results:
There were no fatalities. The incidence of side effects was similar in the 3 groups. The Optison group had a lower diastolic blood pressure compared with the noncontrast group ( P < .05) at rest, and the Sonovue group had a higher peak heart rate compared with the noncontrast group ( P < .001). Patients receiving Optison had more premature atrial contractions ( P < .05) but there was no difference in the incidence of ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, or vagally mediated episodes.
Conclusion:
The use of contrast during dobutamine stress echocardiography was not associated with an increased risk of side effects.
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