Symptomatic and hemodynamic recovery following dobutamine stress echo: benefit of low-dose esmolol administration.

Objectives: We studied the use of esmolol in patients experiencing minor side effects of palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, and tremors associated with dobutamine stress echocardiography. Background: Dobutamine stress echocardiography is frequently used in the assessment of coronary artery disease. Esmolol administration may enhance patient comfort. Methods: Sixty consecutive patients who experienced minor side-effects during dobutamine stress echocardiography were given 0.3 mg/kg esmolol intravenously in the recovery period and compared retrospectively to sixty consecutive controls who underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography, who did not receive esmolol, during the same time period. Both groups were matched for age, ejection fraction, and peak dose of dobutamine. Heart rate and blood pressure were assessed during and after dobutamine administration.