Isoproterenol infusion--an alternative to exercise testing.

Isoproterenol, as an exercise simulating agent, was evaluated in twenty subjects, ten normal volunteers and ten with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Both groups were evaluated using 0.5 ug increments of intravenous infusion of isoproterenol every 3 minutes with computerised ECG (Marquette Electronics--MAC PC) monitoring. The normal volunteers did not have significant ST segment depression even at heart rates of 130 BPM. The CAD groups showed diagnostic ischaemic ST segment depression at heart rates below 130 BPM. None of the subjects had any serious complications during or after the test. Isoproterenol infusion is a better alternative to exercise testing.