Table 1

Interpretation of exercise and pharmacologic stress echocardiography

Nature of tissueResting functionLow dosePeak/post-stress function
CAD, coronary artery disease; WMA, wall motion abnormalities (severe hypokinesis, akinesis, dyskinesis).
NormalNormalNormalHyperkinetic
IschaemicNormalNormal (may worsen with severe CAD)Worse than rest
Worse than adjacent segments
Tardokinesis (delayed contraction)
Viable, ischaemicRest WMAImprovement at low doseReduction (compared with low dose)
Viable, non-ischaemicRest WMAImprovement at low doseSustained improvement
InfarctionRest WMANo changeNo change