GrtDane
Member
Hi everyone, I've had the pleasure of reading all the posts regarding radiation treatment due to Hodgkins, which I had in the early 80s, along with ABVD and MOPP chemo treatments for a year. Now, at 42, I have been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis. I am seeing an internist on Thursday with the hopes of being fast tracked to a AVR. Over the past six months I have been finding myself getting really exhausted easily, and on my walks with my dog on the switchback coming up, gradual and some steep sections of trail, I was having heart pain, which would pass. My wife commented that I was walking more, but was surprised at how out of breath I was getting.
Sometimes the pain would come when I was in bed, just a short almost burning sensation. It seems just doing basic things now, like planting a few strawberry plants, will make me too tired. Anway, that said, my GP heard a murmur and sent me for an echo. My echo shows that I have an ejection fraction of 67.2 percent. Wouldn't that mean I am getting plenty of blood? I am wondering why symptoms seem to be showing up now? Other points of my echo are: "The ejection murmur arises from the aortic valve which is of markedly increased density with severe restriction of leaflet motion, only slight motion being seen in the right and non-coronary leaflets. These leaflets show extensive calcification.
"No chamber enlargement. Left ventricle mass currently measures normal and 202gm and mass index at 92gm/m squared. Overall systolic function is normal and wall abnormalities are not seen." My question is, aren't these two statements at odds with each other? Honestly, I just don't know what to think. The report goes on to say:
"Doppler examination shows a peak transaortic flow velocity of only 3.1 m/s yielding a peak pressure gradient of 37 mm and a mean gradient of 23 mm. Valve area by continuity equation is calculated at 1 cm square. These correspond with aortic stenosis graded moderate, but may represent an underestimation of the degree of stenosis, technical difficulties being encountered in Doppler assessment. Stenosis by 2D imaging would certainly be graded severe. Similarly aoritic regurgitation is present, difficult to quantify, with regurgitant mixing with mitral inflow. This is thought to be mild."
"Tricuspid regurgitation is graded mild yielding a normal systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. IMPRESSION : This relatively young patient has developed what appears to be severe aortic stenosis on 2D images. This is at least moderate based on doppler assessement which is suboptimal and this warrants confirmation with transesphogeal echocardiagraphy. Cardiac consult is recommended."
Sorry for the long post but this is what the report I got says. My GP actually had a TEE booked for me but the person who does those said to send me to a cardiologist and not to do the TEE because it wouldn't reveal much more. I don't know guys, here this report says severe this and that but that the heart is performing normally. And I feel terrible right now, so damn tired and having the feeling of pressure in my chest area, not the sharper burning sensation because I am not doing the long walks any more, but kind of like the feeling akin to when someone touches say a bruise you might have. Just kind of slow, rolling pain in my heart, not acute or super painful or anything. Kind of hard to describe. Well, I went on a long time here, I guess I am wondering if anyone has any comments for me on the above information? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
Sometimes the pain would come when I was in bed, just a short almost burning sensation. It seems just doing basic things now, like planting a few strawberry plants, will make me too tired. Anway, that said, my GP heard a murmur and sent me for an echo. My echo shows that I have an ejection fraction of 67.2 percent. Wouldn't that mean I am getting plenty of blood? I am wondering why symptoms seem to be showing up now? Other points of my echo are: "The ejection murmur arises from the aortic valve which is of markedly increased density with severe restriction of leaflet motion, only slight motion being seen in the right and non-coronary leaflets. These leaflets show extensive calcification.
"No chamber enlargement. Left ventricle mass currently measures normal and 202gm and mass index at 92gm/m squared. Overall systolic function is normal and wall abnormalities are not seen." My question is, aren't these two statements at odds with each other? Honestly, I just don't know what to think. The report goes on to say:
"Doppler examination shows a peak transaortic flow velocity of only 3.1 m/s yielding a peak pressure gradient of 37 mm and a mean gradient of 23 mm. Valve area by continuity equation is calculated at 1 cm square. These correspond with aortic stenosis graded moderate, but may represent an underestimation of the degree of stenosis, technical difficulties being encountered in Doppler assessment. Stenosis by 2D imaging would certainly be graded severe. Similarly aoritic regurgitation is present, difficult to quantify, with regurgitant mixing with mitral inflow. This is thought to be mild."
"Tricuspid regurgitation is graded mild yielding a normal systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. IMPRESSION : This relatively young patient has developed what appears to be severe aortic stenosis on 2D images. This is at least moderate based on doppler assessement which is suboptimal and this warrants confirmation with transesphogeal echocardiagraphy. Cardiac consult is recommended."
Sorry for the long post but this is what the report I got says. My GP actually had a TEE booked for me but the person who does those said to send me to a cardiologist and not to do the TEE because it wouldn't reveal much more. I don't know guys, here this report says severe this and that but that the heart is performing normally. And I feel terrible right now, so damn tired and having the feeling of pressure in my chest area, not the sharper burning sensation because I am not doing the long walks any more, but kind of like the feeling akin to when someone touches say a bruise you might have. Just kind of slow, rolling pain in my heart, not acute or super painful or anything. Kind of hard to describe. Well, I went on a long time here, I guess I am wondering if anyone has any comments for me on the above information? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
