Heart 2001;85:411-416 ( April )

Cardiovascular medicine

Electromechanical interrelations during dobutamine stress in normal subjects and patients with coronary artery disease: comparison of changes in activation and inotropic state A M Duncan, C A O'Sullivan, D G Gibson, M Y Henein

Department of Echocardiography, The Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK

Correspondence to: Dr Henein m.henein{at}rbh.nthames.nhs.uk

Accepted 21 November 2000

OBJECTIVETo identify the effects of altered ventricular activation during dobutamine stress on left ventricular function in normal subjects and in patients with coronary artery disease, and to distinguish these from an inotropic response.
DESIGNProspective analysis of 12 lead ECG and echocardiogram at rest and at peak stress.
SETTINGTertiary referral centre for cardiac disease equipped with non-invasive facilities for pharmacological stress testing.
METHODS22 patients with coronary artery disease were compared with 17 age matched controls. Left ventricular ejection and filling patterns were assessed using Doppler echocardiography. Activation effects were correlated with relative left ventricular ejection and filling times, and the Z ratio ([left ventricular ejection + filling times]/RR interval). Inotropic response was measured from peak aortic acceleration.
RESULTSIn controls, QRS shortened (by 4 ms, p < 0.001), and total ejection and filling periods lengthened (by 2 s/min, p < 0.01 and 5 s/min, p < 0.001, respectively). The Z ratio thus increased and correlated with QRS shortening (r² = 0.69). Peak aortic acceleration (PAA) increased by 135%, p < 0.001. In patients, QRS lengthened at peak stress (by 9 ms, p < 0.001). Total ejection and filling times did not change, but Z ratio fell, correlating with QRS prolongation (r² = 0.65). Nevertheless, PAA increased by 63%, p < 0.001.
CONCLUSIONSRelative ejection and filling times reflect ventricular activation at rest and during stress independent of changes in inotropic state. By contrast, peak aortic acceleration reflects the positive inotropic effect of dobutamine on the myocardium, regardless of changes in activation.


Keywords: stress echocardiography; ventricular activation; Z ratio; aortic acceleration

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© 2001 by Heart
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