Ejection Fraction

EF (Ejection Fraction)

by Gemita - 2023-05-17 03:36:45

Wiredpacer,

Firstly an EF of 56% is better than mine at present and is quite normal (normal range 50-70%).  56% is only 5 percentage points lower than the EF prior to your Mother getting her pacemaker.  It is not a cause for concern. 

Our EF can change depending on the operator carrying out the scan, (their expertise for example), on body habitus and on so many other factors, like another health condition present at the time of the scan, a heart rhythm disturbance, medication and so on.

A medical procedure like getting a pacemaker can be a trauma for many of us.  I had worsening arrhythmias for example which settled at around 3 months.  I also had nerve pain which lasted longer.  Each one of us will have a different experience but a 5% change in EF which still remains in the normal range, would not worry me or my doctors.  I would go by how your Mother feels.  Does she feel better generally with her pacemaker, or is she still struggling? 

Try not to be anxious.  Your Mother may pick up on it.  Try to stay positive but do keep asking questions and get help if you have any concerns or your Mother is not feeling any better?  I wish you both well.  

On the logging in problem, how many accounts do you have?   Multiple accounts for the same member (using a different Username each time) might raise suspicion for troll like behaviour.  I will have a look at your account.  Update your account under Wiredpacer is "active", so you shouldn't get any problems with this Username.  Please let me know if you do and I will try to help.

EF

by Tracey_E - 2023-05-17 08:25:16

EF is an estimate and can vary a bit based on the technician who does the test. She's still in the normal range and the numbers are close enough that her doctor may not consider that a significant change. 

That said, it is possible for EF to drop with pacing. That's why we have echos, to keep an eye on it. If it drops too much, there are treatments. 

EF

by AgentX86 - 2023-05-17 14:11:34

Ditto to what the others have said.  I'd just add that I'd question the 61%.  I'd believe the 56% more.  I don't know why they report down to the single percentage.  They're not that good at conjuring the number just from the echo.  They probably could from an MRI but it's not worth the time or money. Nobody is going to care about EF when it's above 50%.

Thank you

by Wiredpacer - 2023-05-23 12:55:08

Thank you so much for your wise knowledge. It always helps me to ease down a little bit. It's a bit of an adjustment for all of us, we all are trying to rely on the fact that pacemaker is a life savior. I believe there is a silver lining to everything. Thank you always. As I always say this platform feels like home and I am so grateful to you all for always taking out your precious time. Wishing long and healthy life to you all.

ef and pacers

by dwelch - 2023-06-01 00:56:18

Yes they can have an effect after about 30 years my ef which started in the low to mid 40s, moved its way down over time from left side pacing to mid to low 30s.  then we switched to the biventrical and it is back in the 40s.   

I agree that I dont see 50s as an issue as that is what you want, I dont know enough about it but from the folks I know above the 60s was probably a bad measurement and the delta is probably less if there is even a delta. 

the doc may or may not choose to watch the EF after this point, depends on the doc and the condition, insurance, etc.  maybe on device number two and beyond they may start annually for different reasons.  

I would not put much concern into these numbers the 56 is normal and not bad and not anything to worry about, when you dip into the low 40s, time to worry.  now is not the time to worry.

Happy that you are concerned and asking questions, and keep on asking questions to cover these concerns.  also dont be afraid to ask the doc.