Cardiac MRI vs. X-ray Angiogram

[KimC]

Hello from rainy, grey Ft. Wayne, IN! I miss my island in the sun!

I'm glad you had a beautiful weekend in Chicago. How 'bout those Cubs?

I'm in Ft. Wayne for a second opinion on my valve leaks, and so far have heard that I'm NOT a surgery candidate at this time. My most recent echo revealed only mild to moderate insufficiency in the aortic and tricuspid valves. (I was a notch higher during my recent pregnancy).

I was also told that the leaks could stabilize or progress again. (I thought that all valve leaks got worse? Isn't it a disease? Thoughts anyone?)

My cardiologist requested a Cardiac MRI for more precise info -- he can't explain why I'm having mild symptoms of a weakening heart, (asthma-like breathing pressure, chest ache/pain, fatigue and skipped heartbeats). I thought only severe leaks caused symptoms? Thoughts anyone, please?

Could anyone tell me about the differences between a cardiac MRI versus an X-ray angiogram? I know that the latter is invasive. My cardio said he prefers the MRI because the images are so clear.

As always, thanks for your help.

Best,

 

[Ross]

It's beautiful, cold, and gray here too with rain off and on. Ain't it great?

The leaks may stabilize for a while, but they will get worse over time. The key thing is how much time. No one can answer that! It could be months, years, perhaps never but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

MRI's do give a lovely picture, but I would think that he'd want both done so he could really evaluate the pressures being exerted in the chambers of the heart with the angiogram.

Just to give you a clue, I ran along fine with a moderate regurg for 7 years, then it went South pretty quickly. Like I said though, some people can go on for a very long time without intervention.

As for the symptoms, that's a hard one to call. Something isn't right if your having those symptoms. I wouldn't necessarily say that the leaks would have to be severe to have symptoms, but I'd take it as a warning that things are progressing and need to be checked on.

So precisely what is it your trying to tell me here? Are you trying to get out of being in the waiting room? Is that it? Hmm, I'll have to check and see if this is allowable.

 

[KimC]

Waiting room, schmaiting room! Thanks, Ross. As always, you know way too much about this stuff! And I appreciate it from the bottom of my leaky heart.

I'm still shocked and would rather believe that the leaks are not insidious and WILL STABILIZE, dammnit! (Can we cuss in the forum?)

Insidious:
Pronunciation: in-'si-dE-&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin insidiosus, from insidiae ambush, from insidEre to sit in, sit on, from in- + sedEre to sit ?more at SIT
Date: 1545
1 a : awaiting a chance to entrap : TREACHEROUS b : harmful but enticing : SEDUCTIVE <insidious drugs>
2 a : having a gradual and cumulative effect : SUBTLE <the insidious pressures of modern life> b : of a disease : developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent

 

[ccrawford]

Hey Kim Caroline - By the way that's a beautiful name ! Rossy got it just about right. Sometimes you have to wait in the blocks awhile before its your turn. We have, however, decorated our waiting room quite nicely and the chief, Mr Steve, will see to it that you are made quite comfortable. Think positive, you have more time to make sure you are well prepared for what may be coming. Oh - by the way: Keep close track of your symptoms as you do your daily exercise. If you find you tire significantly easier, have chest pains a lot faster, etc. , then be sure to advise your cardio ASAP. These things can coast along for awhile, and then decide to go south quick. I'm a case in point. In a matter of a week, my stamina went south. I reported it to my cardio, got scheduled for a cath, and two days later was in surgery. Thats how fast it can go. In the meantime, you can continue to have fun searching out word origins - Etymology is another one of those never ending hobbies ! Chris

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Kim

Hi Kim

I know so little about heart problems..but how about asking if it could be Cardiomyopathy? My age 73 year old hubby..healthy as a snake..felt fatiqued. went in for a checkup. Guess what. Cath. of heart showed this...Now on an ace inh.? sp ..No OTHER symptoms Got on the internet and found this to be the problem of our young kids..dying on football fields, ect... Like I said..Know nothing about heart problems but will make sure he takes his meds every day.He is quitting smoking. Should add 10 years more on his life. His Dad died at age 93..Now, i will have a hubby of age 101 bonnie

 

[KimC]

Thanks, Chris. My dad named me after Kim Novak, (which now that I think about it, probably made my mom mad!) I am keeping track of how I'm feeling and researching words like:

Main Entry: com·pas·sion
Pronunciation: k&m-'pa-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin compassion-, compassio, from compati to sympathize, from Latin com- + pati to bear, suffer ?more at PATIENT
Date: 14th century
: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it

----------------------------------

I'll mention cardiomyopathy but my last echo only showed mild dilation of the LV. Only -- ha!

Best,

 

[bvdr]

Hi Kim,

If you haven't had a stress echo you might inquire about one. Sometimes valves function at mild/moderate when at rest but when exercised there emerges a different story.

It is the one test I didn't get that I think I should have had. I think I would have had valve replacement 6 months sooner.

 

[Granbonny]

Betty

Betty

My hubby had an EKG..STRESS-ECHO..and straight up for the cath. of heart...We have a new Heart wing of local hospital..( Built from the estate money..of a local small grocer who invested wisely but quietly..died from heart disease. Parents gave the entire estate to build this wing)Cardiologist drives up from Atlanta for all cath's ect. (Mine) When he saw my hubby in stress-echo room. took over. Asked where I was. He said in jury duty. He said, mine too. Both so laid back..Then says..well, John, let's do a cath of heart. Hubby said. O.K...Neither bothered to call me. Found out from lunch break..from jury duty. from phone call to son. Was excused by judge. Got to hospital..where everyone was hovering over hubby. Only he and 1 other person recovering from Cath. 5 nurses to each one That's when Card told me and daughter what was wrong. He has to quit smoking. But, so proud of him...1 week without smoking He has to take Lisinopril for rest of life.. Ace inhibitor ..So, I agree, maybe you, Kim may need to take stress echo.But I', not a nurse but Betty is.......Bonnie

 

[bvdr]

Hi Bonnie,

I hope your hubby is OK! What a way to get out of Jury duty LOL.
Yes I am a nurse but on these boards I am just sharing my feelings about stuff...somethings come from experience but that can't be avoided. I certainly am not giving any professional "advise" that's for sure. Don't forget I came to this board to learn from all of you!

 

[Arlyss]

Your Aorta....

Your Aorta....

Hi Kim,
I did not look through all of your posts, so perhaps this has been covered....but has anyone considered your aorta? Is it enlarged at all?
So often the focus is on the valves......and when there is only mild valvular regurgitation, etc. it often does not account for the whole thing..... I know others with aortic disease who have had some of the symptoms you describe....just a thought. You can get some information about that aspect of things at http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/aorta
Best wishes,
Arlyss

 

[medtronic of borg]

being RN

being RN

bvdr,
I remember!!!

 

[Granbonny]

Kim

Kim

Have you ever had a MRI? They gave me 2 sedatives to take. One when I left home and 1 in ofice. I thought I didn't need the 2nd one so did not take it. If I have to ever have another MRI..will take the whole bottle. Betty. Received the nicest letter from Judge today thanking me for serving. It was the last day..I missed thevoting on verdict..but found out later. That's the way I would have gone. Jury awarded the defendant $50,000 for a table he was on tilting forward. sliced the tip of his finger off. Too much pinch-space. Doctor paid 10% and maker of table 40%. Betty, Judge even wrote at bottom wishing my husband good luck. Small town class. Bonnie

 

[bvdr]

Bonnie, that was really nice of the judge. This is a small town too although it has grown quite a bit in the last 10-15 years. I almost always meet someone I know nearly every place I go. When I drop off my dry cleaning I catch up on local happenings. I love living in a small town. Hubby is still doing well?

 

[Granbonny]

Betty

Betty

John is doing great. Leaving in the morning with Grandson and his best friend for Cherokke, N.C. They have 3 days off school next week. Will camp in motorhome at KOA campground. Indoor heated pool, trout fishing..all the things age 11 year old loves to do..Yall have a good chat tomorrow night. Bonnie