Pharmacologic Stress Testing

Abstract

Exercise stress testing is usually the preferred stress testing modality unless the patient is unable to exercise or achieve the target heart rate response or possess contraindications to exercise. Additionally, in the presence of LBBB or ventricular paced rhythm, pharmacological stress testing is the modality of choice. Because the sensitivity of pharmacological stress ECG alone is low, a cardiac imaging modality is needed. Pharmacological stress testing is divided into vasodilator stress with the three available agents: adenosine, dipyridamole, or regadenoson or with a catecholamine, dobutamine.