Table 4.

Stress Protocol in Clinical Practice

	HR	BP	Scan	Regional and global function
				Normal response	Ischemic response
Dobutamine	Increase	Increase systolic/diastolic BP	Difficult	Increase function and velocity of contraction compared with rest and usually with low dose; Greater decrease in ESV, marked increase in EF	Decrease function and velocity of contraction compared with low dose; may be less compared with rest; Often same as normal response, rarely, ischemia produces decreased EF; cavity dilatation rarely occurs
Vasodilator: Dipyridamole/Adenosine	Reduction	Decrease systolic/diastolic BP	Easier	Increase function compared with rest; Decrease in ESV, increase in EF	Decreased function compared with rest; Often same as normal response; occasionally, ischemia produces decreased EF; cavity dilatation rarely occours.