What is Dobutamine?
Dobutamine is a medicine that can be administered to simulate exercise in patients who are unable to walk on a treadmill. The medication increases heart rate and blood pressure much like exercise and, therefore, stimulates the heart and makes it "think" it is exercising. At Cardiodiagnostics, Dobutamine is nearly exclusively used for those patients unable to perform the treadmill portion of a Stress Echocardiogram.
Is Dobutamine Safe?
Complications with the use of Dobutamine in the performance of a Stress Echocardiogram are rare. Our staff is well-trained in the administration of this drug and its' possible complications. There some slight risks in the use of this medicine as with most medicines, however. Please speak with your doctor if you are concerned about the use of Dobutamine for your test.
What To Expect.
An IV will be started in your arm, typically near the inside of the elbow. After completion of the resting echo recordings, Dobutamine is given through the IV in increasing doses simulating the increasing stages of Treadmill Exercise Testing. Many patients relate experiencing the odd sensation of feeling like they are exercising (heart speeding up and pounding, some shortness of breath, etc.) but complaints are rare. When the targeted heart rate is attained, the medicine is stopped, and the heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, much like after exercise.
If you have any questions...
...please call our nursing department at
or your doctor's office.