Dobutamine stress cardiovascular MR in clinical practice: a single centre experience

CMR Protocol CMR studies were performed using a 1.5 T (Siemens Avanto) clinical CMR scanner. After a full functional assessment using steady state free precession (SSFP) cine imaging, three short axis images together with the three long axis (2-, 3and 4chamber) images were selected and these were then acquired at each dose increment during a standard dobutamine-atropine protocol. Dobutamine was infused in 10 mcg/ kg/ min increments up to a maximum of 40 mcg/ kg/ min. Initial 5 mcg/ kg/ min increments were used where there was a wall motion abnormality at rest. The protocol was continued until target heart rate was achieved or until there was a recognised indication to stop prior to reaching target heart rate. Side effects and complications were recorded.