This procedure is based on the same ultrasound principles used in transthoracic echocardiography. During the study, special emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the contraction or mobility of each of the segments that make up the different walls of the left ventricle. For the study, images of the heart in a resting state are initially obtained, which will allow their subsequent comparison simultaneously on the same screen with the images obtained during stress, which consists of increasing oxygen consumption by the heart muscle through the use of of certain drugs (pharmacological stress), or by performing physical exercise on the treadmill or stationary bicycle (stress with exercise).
The reason why the drug is used, instead of performing an effort ultrasound on the treadmill or stationary bicycle (Cycloergometer), is due to medical conditions or limitations, which prevent the patient from performing the physical test at that time. .
This test is performed to check the appearance of alterations in the contraction of the heart walls, not present in the study performed at rest, which suggest coronary artery disease.
Currently using the new advanced technology, we can more accurately assess the contraction of the heart muscle at each stage of the study, and in some cases can also make a direct measurement of the flow velocities of the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) providing a greater diagnostic accuracy when comparing the results with those obtained using traditional echocardiography equipment.
- Arrive 15 minutes before the assigned appointment time.
- You must have at least 2 hours.
- Submit an identification document (Civil Registry, Identity Card, Citizenship Card, Immigration Certificate or Passport), health entity card, medical order and/or authorization.
- Submit: medical history, current medication formula and previously performed tests.
- Bring the money corresponding to the value of the moderating fee or the value of the particular appointment, as appropriate.
- You must attend with a companion.
- Wear comfortable clothes and in the event that the test is with exercise, sports shoes.
- Suspend beta blockers 24 hours prior to the exam, if applicable . (See list Medications )
- Do not ingest caffeine, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages or smoke 24 hours prior to the exam.
- Eat only light foods three hours before the test.
- It is important to inform the doctor of the presence of a pacemaker if it is the case.
- In men with a lot of hair, it is advisable to shave the chest area to be able to record a better image.
Echocardiography Stress with exercise
- Presence of an evolving myocardial infarction.
- Unstable angina.
- Complex ventricular arrhythmias.
- Atrial fibrillation and poorly controlled hypertension.
- Hip or knee problems, difficulty walking or having some type of physical impediment that prevents you from taking the test.
Pharmacological Stress Echocardiography
- Presence of an evolving myocardial infarction.
- Unstable angina.
- Complex ventricular arrhythmias.
- Atrial fibrillation and poorly controlled hypertension.
Echocardiography Stress with exercise
- Headache.
- Tingling sensation.
- Warmth sensation.
- sweating
- Chest pain.
- Nausea.
- In sensitive skins when removing the bracelet irritation may appear.
- It is normal to feel pressure, itching, numbness and/or redness on the arm where the cuff is installed.
- Skin irritation in the areas where the electrodes are placed.
Pharmacological Stress Echocardiography
- Headache.
- Tingling sensation.
- Warmth sensation.
- Chest pain.
- Nausea.
- dry mouth
- It is possible that bruises appear in the puncture area and an allergic reaction to the drug.
- ACEBUTOLOL ( SECTRAL )
- BETAXOLOL ( BETOPTIC, KERLONE )
- bevantolol
- BISOPROLOL ( CONCOR, ZEBETA, CORBIS, ZIAC )
- CARTEOLOL ( SOTALOL, LABETALOL, OCUPRESS )
- CARVEDILOL ( COREG, DILATREND, DUALTEN, FILTEN, CARVEDIL )
- CELIPROLOL ( CARDEM )
- DILEVALOL ( UNICARD )
- DILTIAZEM ( DILACOR, CARDIZEM )
- ESMOLOL ( CREVIMOL )
- ETHENOLOL
- LABETALOL , BUCINDOLOL (TRANDRATE, BIASCOR )
- METIPRANOLOL ( OPTIPRANOLOL )
- METOPROLOL ( BETOPROLOL, BETALOC, BETALOCZOC )
- NADOLOL ( CORGARD )
- NEBIVOLOL ( LOBIVON, SILOSTAR, NAVILA )
- NIPRADILOL ( BUNAZOSINE )
- OXPRENOLOL (TRASICOR, TRASITENSIN)
- PRACTOLOL
- PENBUTOLOL ( LEVATOL )
- PINDOLOL
- PROPRANOLOL ( INDERAL, SYNTHASER )
- SOTALOL ( BETAPACE )
- TERTALOLOL
- TIMOLOL ( TIMOPTIC )
- VERAPAMIL ( ISOPTIN, CALAN )
- URAPIDIL ( ELGADIL )