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Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE)

For those patients whom Exercise Stress Echocardiography (ESE) is not an option, a Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram (DSE) may be referred instead. Similar to an ESE, this test is used to assess and measure cardiac function under stress.

There are two elements to a DSE. Firstly, a cardiac scientist will perform a resting Echocardiogram (Echo) to assess regular heart function. In the second part of the procedure, a medication called “dobutamine” is administered through a cannula at graduated interval doses to increase the heart rate, thereby simulating the effects of exercise.

Cine images of the heart during resting heart rate and stress and are then used to assess cardiac ischaemia and/or viability.




This test is performed by our cardiologists at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.


Bulk billed procedure.


45 minutes - 1 hour.