Echo Test Results

Good morning.

I am approximately 4 months post a CRT-D implant. I've had a couple of adjustments to my in dash navigation system and no changes to meds since the install. Due to some very sage advice from a member, I am digging into test results and trying to be better informed. Really I'm just trying to take more control of the situation instead of solely depending on the doctors.

With that being said, I recently (1/11) had an echo performed. I am comparing this report with my previous echo back in August. The good news is that my EF went from 20% in August to 35% now. There are a couple of notations that changed on the report that seemed different. I wanted to get your opinions before I see the doctor.

August Report- "Left Ventricle: Left ventricle is severely dilated. Wall thickness is normal. Global systolic function is abnormal. Abnormal septal motion. EF 20%. Left Atrium: Severly dilated."

Jan. Report- "Left Ventricle: Left ventricle is normal in size. Wall thickness is abnormal. Global systolic function is normal. no resting wall motion abnormalities noted. EF 35%. Left Atrium: Mildly elevated."

The overall conclusion for both reports is basically the same- severely depressed LVEF, abnormal septal motion, normal PASP, Grade I diastolic dysfunction.

It seems like the "structural" issues noted in each report are different after a few months. Is it normal to see different interpretations like this? Let me know ya'lls thoughts. Thanks.

2 Comments

Echo results

by Charli - 2019-01-16 12:42:26

Hiya! 

Lucky for you I work in a cardiac icu as a nurse so am pretty familiar with echo reports! 

ECHO reports can be a little bit subjective to the practitioner that does them, each will see things slightly differently. With any left ventricular dilation/hypertrophy how hydrated or dehydrated you are can effect how efficient you heart is working. The more hydrated you are, the more water is in your blood, the more your heart has to push around your body and the harder it works - with any dilation this may mean it is working a bit harder than it can cope with and your ejection fraction will reduce. 

Hope this helps 

Variation of ECHO reports

by Selwyn - 2019-01-18 12:23:59

It is normal to see large variations in cardiac size with different degrees of heart failure ( as you have). The heart muscle is fairly elastic and when it goes down hill, it goes down big time! 

The Frank-Starling Law of heart failure describes how this sudden  downhill turn works.  Once you correct the failure, the heart muscle is back in reasonable shape compared to the failure scenario.

As the heart enlarges the muscle thins. Once the heart is back in shape, that muscle is now thickened. 

By all means look up the Frank-Starling Law.

I am pleased to say that heart failure although serious, there is medical treatment that makes a big difference to the majority of those with this distressing problem. One minute you can be gasping for breath, the next minutes the doctor comes around with an injection and you are feeling a lot better! 

 

 

You know you're wired when...

You forecast electrical storms better than the weather network.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is intact and working great.