Dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE)

A dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE) is a test to see how well your heart works when it’s under physical stress . It measures how your heart responds when it needs more blood, such as when you’re exercising.

Healthcare team performing a dobutamine stress echocardiogram, with a clinician using an ultrasound machine to scan a patient’s heart while ECG and vital signs are monitored on nearby screens in a hospital clinic room.

You doctor may order this test if you find it difficult to exercise or can’t have an exercise treadmill test .

The DSE provides information about:

  • how well the heart pumps
  • how well the heart valves are working
  • any possible blockages in the coronary arteries (vessels that supply blood to the heart).

Before your appointment

If you are on a betablocker tablet, you may be advised not to take the morning dose. If you’re unsure about this, contact the clinic a few days before.

It’s best not to eat immediately before the test, but keep drinking. Make plans for someone to drive you home.

Tell your doctor or clinic beforehand if you have an allergy to ultrasound bubble contrast.

What happens?

The test will be done at a hospital or in a clinic.

You’ll be asked to remove clothing from above the waist, and you’ll be given a gown.

Sticky pads (electrodes) will be placed on your chest, and you’ll have an ECG and blood pressure check. An IV (intravenous) line will be put into a vein in your arm.

You’ll be asked to lie on your left side while the scan is done. The clinician will put gel on your chest and move the ultrasound wand over the area. The images will show how well your heart works at rest.

You will then be given medication, called dobutamine, through the IV line. It will make your heart speed up and work harder.

The clinician will do another scan to see how your heart responds when it’s working harder.

Sometimes an ultrasound bubble contrast will be used to get a clearer image. A small amount of bubble contrast is injected into a vein through the IV. It is not harmful.

The test will take around an hour. You’ll be encouraged to rest for about half an hour before you go.

After the test

You’ll need someone to drive you home.

If bubble contrast has been used, drink plenty of water to flush it from your system.

You won’t get the results on the day. The information will be reviewed and sent to the doctor who ordered the test.

After the test

You’ll need someone to drive you home.

If bubble contrast has been used, drink plenty of water to flush it from your system.

You won’t get the results on the day. The information will be reviewed and sent to the doctor who ordered the test.

Key things to remember

Infographic showing key dobutamine stress echocardiogram appointment information, with icons indicating the test will take about 2 hours and that you should check whether any medications need to be stopped before the day of your test.