Clinical evidence,mechanism, importance and management
Ten patients with a low probability of coronary artery disease underwent dobutamine echocardiography. Five were given dobutamine alone, while other 5 were given a low intravenous dose of dipyridamole with maximal dose of dobutamine, to see whether sensitivity of test could be improved. Four of patients given both drugs experienced severe hypotension while no hypotension was seen in control group. The conclusion was reached that this combination of drugs can be hazardous and should not be used in patients suspected of coronary heart disease (See reference number 1). Note that,although both of these drugs are commonly used in stress echocardiography, they are not given together.
1. Shaheen J,Rosenmann D, Tzivoni D. Severe hypotension induced by combination of dobutamine and dipyridamole. Isr J Med Sci (1996) 32, 1105–7.