Evidence of walk-through phenomenon during echocardiographic dipyridamole stress test

Ital Heart J. 2000 Jan;1(1):73-5.

Abstract

This case report deals with induced regional wall motion abnormalities that spontaneously disappeared during an echocardiographic stress test with dipyridamole. A patient underwent this test because of atypical chest discomfort and a positive result of exercise stress test. Transient septal, apical and anterior akinesia were observed after the first dose of dipyridamole, but they were short-lasting and did not return during the continuation of the test. Coronary angiography showed a critical stenosis of the left coronary artery. A mechanism similar to that responsible for the walk-through phenomenon might explain the observed findings. Thus stress echo with dipyridamole needs careful continuous monitoring, because transient wall motion abnormalities can otherwise be missed resulting in a false negative test.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Angiography
  • Dipyridamole / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Dipyridamole