Echo Results

[DavesMom]

Hi folks,

I had AVR/aneurysm repair in 1999. I just got a copy of the report from my annual echo and everything is fine. My mechanical valve is doing well and it says normal RV,RA,LA and LV chamber dimensions and contractility.

However, there were the following changes from last year:

RVID went from 2.3 to 2.9.
IVS Wall Thick. went from 0.8 to 1.0
LVID (es) went from 2.7 to 3.1

These are all still in range but they are getting toward the high end of normal. Am I just being paranoid to worry about these changes? Is it normal for these to change like this over the course of a year? Could it just be a difference in the technician who did the echo and the cardiologist who read it?

Also, there is an EF% reading of 37. (This was not measured last year.) I did a little research and read that below 40 is not good. However, the doctor who read my echo did not mention it at all in his comments. Isn't this something he would have noted?

I've been having a problem with fatigue after my usual walking routine recently. I feel fine while walking but then as soon as I finish I feel totally exhausted. Doesn't happen 100% of the time but enough to know that it's not a fluke. Could this low EF% be the culprit?

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Cheers!

 

[PJmomrunner]

Just freshening the thread....

 

[MrP]

My cardiologist is real good about answering any lingering questions I failed to ask when in his office. I suggest you may want to fax your questions to your cardiologist and call him/her for peace of mind.
Preston

 

[MrP]

Just want to add regurgitation used to make me tired several years back but no more. You didn't mention any problems in this area, so I guess your mechanical valve is working fine and this isn't causing your fatigue....thank goodness.
Also, could it be that EF% is within normal range for you at rest? Hope you feel better.

 

[DavesMom]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Nope, no regurgitation noted except for a trace in the mitral valve.

I left a message for my doctor yesterday and will ask about the EF% just to put my mind at rest. However, I really think it's a simple mistake. I don't see how everything else could be fine and this important reading be so bad. The cardio who read the echo would definitely have mentioned it.

Anywho...it's still a mystery to me why I now often "crash" after walking the same amount of time and at the same pace I have been for ages.

Thanks again. Hope everyone is well.