[Exercise echocardiography with left atrial stimulation: advantages and limitations of the method]

Exercise echocardiography seems a relatively reliable diagnostic technique for evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease. The prognostic aspects of the stress echo have widely been documented with the use of various stressors (exercise, dipyridamole, dobutamine, pacing). Rapid atrial pacing echocardiography is highly specific and sensitive technique for the detection of the coronary disease, especially in patients who are unable to perform an active stress test. This technique minimizes the factors decreasing image quality during exercise (chest wall movements and hyperventilation). Exercise echocardiography is safe, relatively cheap, and can be done in every hospital.