Dobutamine Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Dobutamine Perfusion Imaging (MPI) evaluates the blood flow to the heart at rest and under stress conditions. It is used instead of the treadmill for patients who cannot walk on the treadmill for any reason. Patients with asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are at risk for adverse effects from adenosine/lexiscan are prime candidates for dobutamine perfusion studies.

An intravenous catheter is placed in your arm and a scanning tracer is injected. After adequate circulation, imaging of your heart at rest is done. You will then be asked to undergo Stress Testing with Dobutamine, a medication that increases the heart rate. Upon completion, another tracer is injected. Imaging is done again after the tracer has circulated adequately. The test takes about 4 hours to complete, and it is sometimes necessary to perform this test over 2 days. The first day's testing takes about 1 1/2 hours and the second day's testing takes about 1 1/2 hours as well. Check with the clinical staff for specific test preparation instructions.