D
Dave M
I just received the printed report from my 2-year post-op echo. I was pleased and thankful for the results: normal valve and heart muscle function, normal ejection fraction, continued overall decrease in the size and thickness of the heart muscle.
However, there are a couple of oddities on the report I wanted to get some feedback on. First, my left ventricle size in systolic (pumping) decreased 15% from the size noted in my echo a year ago. But in diastolic (at rest) there was a slight increase in size from last year. I am confused by this and wondered if anyone else has had this happen. I am a little concerned about this since my ventricle enlarged quite a bit before surgery, but decreased significantly by my first year echo.
The second issue is not one of concern but seemed unusual to me. Last year, I had a trace of aortic insufficiency around my St. Jude valve and was told this is normal. However, this year's report reads "no aortic insufficiency seen on color doppler." Is this possible? I thought all mechanical valves had some leakage by design. This also adds to the confusion I have about my diastolic left ventricle increase. I appreciate any insight.
However, there are a couple of oddities on the report I wanted to get some feedback on. First, my left ventricle size in systolic (pumping) decreased 15% from the size noted in my echo a year ago. But in diastolic (at rest) there was a slight increase in size from last year. I am confused by this and wondered if anyone else has had this happen. I am a little concerned about this since my ventricle enlarged quite a bit before surgery, but decreased significantly by my first year echo.
The second issue is not one of concern but seemed unusual to me. Last year, I had a trace of aortic insufficiency around my St. Jude valve and was told this is normal. However, this year's report reads "no aortic insufficiency seen on color doppler." Is this possible? I thought all mechanical valves had some leakage by design. This also adds to the confusion I have about my diastolic left ventricle increase. I appreciate any insight.
