Dobutamine stress echocardiography(DSE) is useful detection of coronary artery disease as a noninvasive test. The purpose of this study is to find predicting factors of multivessel disease (MVD) in DSE.

Sixty-five patients suspicious of coronary artery disease excluding myocardial infarction on clinical base had undergone DSE and coronary arteriography. We divided the patient group into normal group (22 patients), single vessel disease(SVD) group(25 patients) and multivessel disease (MVD) group (18 patients) according to the findings of the findings of coronary angiogram. DSE findings and hemodynamic change during stress were analyzed and compared in these groups. We defined MVD on DSE as findings of new or aggravating regional wall motion abnormalities in 2 or more coronary artery territories, and significant stenosis on coronary angiogram as stenosis of 50% or more.

1) The numbers of diseased vessel evaluated by DSE showed significant correlation with those evaluated by coronary angiogram.

2) Resting, low-dose and peak-dose wall motion scores were significantly different among 3 groups, being higher in MVD group than in SVD and normal group.

3) Total administered dose of dobutamine in MVD group was significantly lower than that of normal group.

4) Heart rate at peak-dose showed significant difference among 3 groups, but product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure at peak-dose was not significantly different.

5) Frequency of ST segment change was significantly higher in multicessel disease group

DSE reflects severity of coronary artery disease. and frequency of resting regional wall motion abnormally. wall motion score in low-dose and paak stress seems to be useful as a predictor of multivessel disease. Value of total administered dose of dobutamine, hemodynamic changes and ST segment changes as a MVD remains to be proved.