Key result
An accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography protocol significantly reduced total test time compared to a standard protocol (12:12 vs 19:23 min; p<0.0001).
Why the study?
Does an accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography protocol reduce test times and improve tolerability compared to a standard protocol in patients with suspected CAD?
RCT (n=164)
Alternating basis
Does an accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography protocol reduce test times and improve tolerability compared to a standard protocol in patients with suspected CAD?
Effect estimate: 12:12 min vs 19:23 min
p-value: p=<0.0001
An accelerated dobutamine stress echocardiography protocol significantly reduces total test time and symptom duration without increasing arrhythmias compared to the standard protocol.
Shorter test times may boost lab efficiency; leaves open tolerability or safety gains pending randomized trials.
OBJECTIVES: A new, accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (DASE) protocol (baseline 20 mcg/kg/min; 40 mcg/kg/min) was compared with a standard protocol in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) to evaluate tolerability, length of infusion, and overall test times, as well as safety. METHODS: Patients received the DASE or the standard protocol on an alternating basis (n = 164). RESULTS: Total test time, including patient recovery (HR < 100 bpm), dropped from an average of 19:23-12:12 min (p < 0.0001). Average symptom duration decreased from 5:50 to 3:17 min (p < 0.01). Women had shorter total test times in both accelerated and standard protocols compared to that of men. CONCLUSIONS: The accelerated DASE protocol is a well tolerated alternative to standard dobutamine stress testing allowing practitioners to reduce test times without increasing the incidence of arrhythmias. Patients in the accelerated arm also had shorter duration of symptoms.
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Pastorius et al. (2007) conducted an RCT in Suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (n=164). Accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (DASE) protocol vs. Standard protocol was evaluated on Total test time, including patient recovery (HR < 100 bpm) (12:12 min vs 19:23 min, p=<0.0001). An accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography protocol significantly reduced total test time compared to a standard protocol (12:12 vs 19:23 min; p<0.0001).
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