Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a widely used echocardiographic examination for assessment of coronary ischemia, but several complications or side effects of DSE have been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) during DSE.

Over a 9-year period (from November 2001 to October 2010) we reviewed all patients (n =2,224) referred for DSE. Criteria for selection included patients >18 years old who underwent DSE. We systematically analyzed all ECG performed during DSE to detect AF during the examination.

DSE was completely performed in 2,179 patients (mean age: 62.4±11.6 y.o.): 694 positive DSE and 1,485 negative DSE. AF was observed in 18 patients (14 men, mean age: 79.6±9.0 y.o.): 4 patients (22%) had a previous history of paroxysmal AF and 16 patients (89%) hypertension. Prevalence of AF during DSE was 0.8%. AF was more frequently observed in case of positive DSE (p<0.0005). Patients with AF during DSE were significantly older (p<0.0001) and prevalence of AF during DSE increased with age: 0.45% in patients 60 to 69 years, 1.3% in patients 70 to 79 years and 4% in patients >80 years.

Prevalence of atrial fibrillation during DSE is 0.8% and its occurrence increases with age.