Coronary Artery Spasm During Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography: A Case Report

Abstract

Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) has been widely used as a diagnostic and prognostic modality in the management of stress. DSE is associated with limited complications and adverse effects on the health of patients. In this case report, we described a 42-year-old female patient with dobutamine-induced coronary artery spasm with history of exertional dyspnea, which had deteriorated recently. No risk factors of coronary artery disease were observed in the patient, and she had previous non-diagnostic exercise tolerance test. DSE was performed on the patient, and at the end of the infusion rate of 30 mcg/min, retrosternal pain was detected. Standard 12-lead electrocardiogram was indicative of ST segment elevation in inferior leads. Moreover, echocardiographic imaging of the patient revealed concomitant akinesia in the right coronary artery. On the other hand, subsequent coronary angiograms showed only mild coronary atherosclerosis.