Ejection Fraction Question

[sonya489]

Hey,
I now have 3 different ejection fractions #'s can you all tell me what you think...

Echo 1 .................... 62%

Echo 2.................... 57%


Stress/thallium........... 49%

Now I was doing some reading about this what I found said that nuclear testing and EF was the most reliable reading even over a cath..What do yall think & which # would you assume is the correct #....

Thanks,
Sonya

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Sonya,

Please go back and do a search under Muga scan, EF and ejection fraction. I recently had an echo that logged an EF of 40. Given my condition, activity level, prior testing my cardiologist did not feel the reading was accurate. Went for a Muga scan and it revealed my EF is high 50's - low 60's. 20% is a huge variation as far as I am concerned. Makes you wonder about the accuracy of the diagnostics used.

Take care and keep us posted.

 

[sonya489]

There is such a variation of readings on these test what I dont understand it why isnt there something that is accurate on this with all the technology we have it seems like something could tell us the truth on these readings...
What are we as patients really suppose to think is our true reading?


Thanks,
Sonya

 

[alex1307]

Sylvia,

I'm also confused about my EF - please look at the thread I've started "Confusing ejection fraction". This EF isn't directly measured, it's calculated on the basis of other values - and it looks like the calculation formula is valid only for normal or close-to-normal heart.

Best wishes,
Alex

 

[alex1307]

Sonya, I'm sorry I called you Sylvia
Best regards,
Alex

 

[sonya489]

Alex,
I can see that we are both really asking the same question in all cases the higher the ejections fraction the better off we are the problem comes in if the reading is not truly accurate and our valve regugitation is causing some of that % number..

How will we ever know I guess we will not I have read an article that stated with echo it is a measurement then a formula to figure it out so it may vary somewhat 1 echo to another..

Now I also read that on a stress thallium its more accurate that even on a cath.....why becasue it does a tacing of the acutal heart so this is suppose to be the most reliable..
Now I did post this question to a doc he said its all who is performing the test doing the measuring and are they experienced in giving stress thallium test....

So I guess at this point I am not going to worry to much about my EF just about my % of my aortic and mitral regurgitation..
and of course my PAP #...

I talked to my dr. today he called me on Sunday and wanted to tell me he was putting me on meds an ACE INHIBATOR but I am not going on any meds until I seek a 2nd opinion from another cardio as well as see a pulmonary hypertension specialist about my PAP reading...


Sonya

 

[Zazzy]

Hi Sonya,
Question... were each of these echos done with a different tech? Technique counts for a lot.

Good luck,
Zazzy