Protocol dobutamine stress Tc99m SPECT*^¶

Standard dobutamine infusion protocol for pharmacologic stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging. The dobutamine dose is increased every three minutes until the patient achieves at least 85% of maximum predicted heart rate (MPHR). If the heart rate remains <85% MPHR following infusion of dobutamine 40 mcg/kg/min, arm exercise can be performed and/or atropine may be infused in an effort to further increase the heart rate. The radiopharmaceutical may be injected at any point once the patient's heart rate exceeds 85% MPHR or the development of symptoms.