Ejection Fraction 45 3 years post Mitral Valve repair

[Janie]

I had mitral valve repair in 2009...doing great. My cardiologist didn't get an echo either. I had an episode of dizziness a month ago and went to my internist who sent me to my cardiologist. My cardiologist told me he didn't think this was at all heart related as I have so other symptoms. I have been 100% symptom free and my EKG's, etc are all normal. My cardiologist ordered an echo, he wanted to be sure I didn't have an infection brewing at the repair site. He was just being overly aggressive. Well, my heart is perfect except my ejection fraction is 45. It was 65 preopt. I was really upset..but he assured me that a 45 is just a little "normal low" and it always drops after surgery and as we age. He did put me on Coreg CR 10 mg and Lisinopril 5 mg. I met with a personal trainer to work out 4-5 days a week to get myself in better shape. I am tall, thin and not in bad shape at all...but I will say this, the cardio is killing me but I feel so good afterwards.

I've seen posts that this isn't so "abnormal"...I guess I thought once I was fixed, I was fixed so I wasn't anticipating this at all.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

 

[JimL]

Janie, only on the ejection fraction, I remember that being extremely relative. You might talk to an echocardiographic technician about how that is measured, but I wouldn't worry much about that number. I suspect that if everything else is in order, 45 is just fine.

 

[Janie]

Thank you! I'm thinking the same thing. I'm doing some major cardio and will get a repeat echo in 3 months. If nothing else, its getting me to the gym.

 

[gerrychuck]

Janie, only on the ejection fraction, I remember that being extremely relative. You might talk to an echocardiographic technician about how that is measured, but I wouldn't worry much about that number. I suspect that if everything else is in order, 45 is just fine.

Unfortunately there are some people (or agencies) that put a lot of stock in that number: I am 6 weeks post MVR, and trying to lay the groundwork for getting my pilot medical back in a few months. One of Transport Canada's criteria for reinstatement after MVR is an EF of 50 or greater; black and white - over you're golden, under you're grounded. I'll be getting my next echo at the end of January, and since my post-op EF was below 40, I will be keeping my fingers tightly crossed!

 

[Janie]

Wow...good luck with that! I know that number goes up and down. I hope that when you get your echo it hits that 50 mark. The thing is..who really knows their EF except people like us who have had echo's and heart surgery. Of course, if you have(had) a leaky valve that plays a part. I feel great even if it is a 45. I don't really know what my baseline is. My brother has a mechanical valve and he is a State Highway Patrolman, Fireman and EMT...his EF is around 40. He tells me he is in better shape than most of the guys he works with!

Good luck and post what your echo reads. I don't get another one for 3 months. I guess the doc says it takes that long for the meds to show anything.

Best wishes!

 

[Janie]

Hi again, Gerry,

I was thinking...did your cardiologist have you do any rehab after your MVR? Mine didn't...which was surprising to me but I wonder if that is why my EF is lower than I would have expected. Are you doing anything for rehab? Besides being on two meds I'm at the gym doing cardio 4-5 times/week plus weights to strengthen my upper body. Both are supposed to increase EF.

Just thought I'd ask and throw that out. I want your EF up over 50 for you to get that license!

Good luck!

 

[gerrychuck]

I've started my own walking program and some very light weights, and will be starting a formal cardiac rehab program in January; my cardiologist wanted to wait a little longer than normal to start because of the beating my heart took in the 48 hours or so before they properly diagnosed me and got me into surgery. I'm only 7 weeks post-op now, and the echo with the lousy EF was done just a few days after surgery when my heart was still in failure, so I am very optimistic that it will improve significantly. Thanks for the advice and the positive thoughts! I've been researching how to properly insulate my plane's hangar all day, so I'm definitely keeping a positive outlook on this issue myself