Tom's echo results and it's greek to me-long

[JudithD23]

Hi,

I picked up a copy of Tom's echo and if anyone can help me decipher it, it would be greatly appreciated. Here's what is says:

1. Chamber dimensions and the left ventricular function: The left vent is normal in size at 5.5cm end diastole and overall systolic function is normal with an estimated ejection fraction of 70% to 75% w/o wall motion abnormality. Wall thickness of the left vent is increased to 1.2 cm with hypertrophy. The left atrium is enlarged at 4.4 cm. Right atrium and right vent have a normal diameter. Right vent function is normal.
2. Valves: Aortic valve leaflets are thickened and calcified. Motion is restricted. Number of leaflets can't be determined. By Doppler, there is severe aortic stenosis with a mean gradient of 50 and a peak gradient of 81 and a peak velocity of 4.5 meters per sec (left ventr outflow tract velocity of 0.9 meters per second). There is mild to moderate aortic regurgitation. Mitral leaflets are structurally normal with no stenosis or regurgitation or prolapse. Tricuspid and pulmonic valves are normal.
3. No pericardial effusion.
4. Ascending aorta is enlarged at 4.4 cm.
5. Intracardiac hemodynmics: Normal left atrial pressure (E'E prime ratio of 67/6) with an abnormal left ventr relaxation on Doppler.
6. Intact intraatrial septum with no shunting by Doppler.
7. There is no pericardial effusion.

Sorry this is so long, but any translation would be helpful. Tom has his heart cath on Thursday and we'll know more then and I'll have more of an opportunity to speak with the cardiologist and surgeon then, I hope.

Thanks, Judith

 

[Ross]

Basically he's needing a valve replacement soon. His heart is starting to enlarge because of a calcified valve that is not pliable enough for them to even determine whether it's bicupid or tricuspid. He may also have an aneurysm in the works with the enlarged aorta, perhaps not, but I'd look into that further.

I deleted your post in valve selection. You need only post once. We read everything.

 

[JudithD23]

Thanks for the fast reply. And thanks for deleting the other post. I just didn't know where it belonged.

Judith

 

[Ross]

No problem. If your unsure, post it and I'll move it to where it needs to be. It helps with using the search feature on terms. People won't have to look all over to find what they want, at least hopefully.

His doctors may want to wait a little bit, but I urge you to get a consult with a surgeon asap. You don't want to let anymore damage happen then already has.

 

[JudithD23]

We met with our first heart surgeon last week, I posted our meeting under valve replacement. We would like to meet with another surgeon and I'm planning on sending results of tests to Cedars Sinai and Stanford.

Thanks for your support.

Judith

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Judith,

Was there any mention of the Aortic Valve Effective Area or Opening Area?
(Anything less than 0.8 sq. cm is a 'trigger' for recommending valve replacement).

Ejection Fraction is a measure of the percentage of Blood that is pumped from the Left Ventricle on each Heart Beat. The Normal Range is somewhere around 55 to 70% if I remember correctly. An EF of 70-75% may be a sign that the heart is compensating for pushing against a diseased (stenosed) valve.

Those Gradient numbers are on the high side and indicate that his Aortic Valve is in need of replacement. The fact that they cannot determine if he has 2 or 3 cusps and that he has an enlarged Aorta suggests he should consult someone with experience with Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease and Connective Tissue Disease. As Rachel has already stressed, his Aorta should be evaluated for possible repair / replacement of the 'bulge'. The enlarged Left Atrium is another sign that the heart is pumping against a stenotic (partially closed) valve.

You can learn more about interpreting Echocardiogram Reports by checking the Links provided in the REFERENCE SOURCES Forum under Atlas of Echocardiology (Atlas of Echocardiography http://info.med.yale.edu/intmed/card...nts/index.html),
Digital Echocardiology, ECHO by Web, Glossary of Related Medical Terms.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

Ross, how big was your aorta when it dissected?

Last echo said 4.7cm in November and it blew in March before my next check up.