Current status of stress echocardiography: is it a required procedure for every sonographer?

BACKGROUND: Stress echocardiography is a versatile modality in the clinical cardiology. In its earlier days, its sole indication was restricted to diagnosing coronary artery disease. However, in response to the rapid development of ultrasound technology and analysis software, the indications have now evolved with expansion to several fields of cardiovascular disease.
METHODS: I reviewed previous stress echocardiography publications, and discussed the current status of stress echocardiography in routine clinical setting.
RESULTS: Although its portability and online assessment make possible for immediate diagnosis even at the bedside, establishment of an appropriate procedure and an accurate assessment require some experience. Other imaging competitors, such as multidetector computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance are gradually replacing the role of stress echocardiography in some fields. However, stress echocardiography has a potential for other new fields, including valvular heart disease and congestive heart failure.
CONCLUSION: Although primary indication of stress echocardiography for coronary artery disease seems to be not relevant especially in Japan, novel indication of stress echocardiography in other field of cardiovascular disease is rapidly expanding in conjunction with the advent of new technology. Stress echocardiography is not a tool for limited researchers, but rather a fundamental routine method of choice for every sonographer.