Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography for the Evaluation of Coronary Artery Disease in Thai Population: Siriraj Experience
Nithima Chaowalit MD*, Decho Jakrapanichakul MD*, Kamol Udol MD, MSc**, Bussakorn Kitrattana BDS*
Affiliation : * Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok ** Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objective : No previous report of dobutamine stress echocardiography in the Thai population has been avail-
able. The present study seeks to document the protocol, indications, results and safety of dobutamine stress
echocardiography performed at Siriraj Hospital.
Materials and Methods : The authors studied 421 [mean age 67.7 ± 11.0 years, 179 (43%) men] consecutive Thai
patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography at Siriraj Hospital. The protocol, indications and
echocardiographic analysis were described. Clinical characteristics, hemodymanics, results and adverse ef-
fects were recorded at the time of dobutamine stress echocardiography.
Results : Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed for preoperative assessment before non-cardiac
surgery in 212 patients (50%), for the diagnosis of suspected Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in 179 patients
(43%), for risk stratification of CAD in 24 patients (6%), and for other reasons in six patients (1%). The
results were normal and positive for inducible ischemia in 276 (66%) and 80 (19%) patients, respectively.
Limiting side effects were observed in 3%. No death, myocardial infarction or life-threatening arrhythmias
occurred. Transient stress-associated tachyarrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, nonsustained ventricular
tachycardia or supraventricular tachycardia, occurred in 3.5% of patients.
Conclusion : Dobutamine stress echocardiography was considered a safe and tolerable technique for the
evaluation of CAD in Thai population.
Keywords : Dobutamine, Coronary artery disease, Safety, Stress echocardiography
