USE OF DOBUTAMINE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TO ASSESS MYOCARDIAL VIABILITY BEFORE PCI IN TOTAL OCCLUSION OF CORONARY ARTERY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Dobutamine stress echocardiography has significant advantages in our country due to its wide availability, portability, low cost and safety.This study was conducted with the aim to assess myocardial viability by Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE) before PCI in total occlusion of coronary artery.This study confirms that a biphasic response to dobutamine is highly predictive of postoperative recovery of regional contractile function (100% at 6^th week follow-up). This studies provide evidence that, at low doses, inotropic stimulation with P- receptor agonists will result in an increase in LV function in areas of viable myocardium but not in areas of myocardial necrosis.