Definition: any standardized procedure for assessing the effect of stress on cardiac function and myocardial perfusion. Stress may be induced by physical exercise or simulated by administration of a coronary vasodilator. Heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram are monitored before, during, and after the challenge. Other observations sometimes made are measurement of oxygen consumption, echocardiography, impedance cardiography, appraisal of both myocardial perfusion and cardiac wall motion by radionuclide tracer, and cardiac catheterization.
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Examples: glitazone, GI cocktail, etc.