Please Explain

[schwerdj]

Hi, I'm new to this site and was wondering if someone could explain a few of the interpretations from my echo. For now I'm waiting for some symptoms to show. Go back to cardiologist in Dec.
1. Mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
2. Normal left ventricular systolic function.
3. Dilated ascending aorta (4.7) and aortic arch(3.9) with evidence of coarctation versus obstruction secondary to membrane noted(gradient approximately 16mm Hg).
4. Heavily calcified aortic valve, which appears bicuspid with decreased cusp separation, severe aortic stenosis(peak gradient 58 mm Hg, mean gradient 35 mm Hg, valve area 0.7 cm2).
5. mitral regurgitation-trace.
6. tricuspid regurgitation-mild.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Phyllis]

If you go to reference sources and look under "must have reference links", you will find the following url for understanding your digital echo and there is a good table there to compare your values listed under normal values.
http://www.echobyweb.com/htm_level1_eng/echo_examination.htm

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Schwerdj, and welcome...

Hi Schwerdj, and welcome...

Welcome to the website....there are a ton of people here who are wonderful people and have tons of info to help..I am harrybaby666 and I have most of what you have So here goes...

1. Your left ventricle is stiffening up, therefore, it is not relaxing after your heart squeezes. Concentric means that the stiffening is happening uniformly around the whole ventricle. The Hypertrophy means that your heart muscle is growing extra muscle fibers and because of this, it's causing your muscle to stiffen, thus causing Diastolic Dysfunction (Inability Of The Heart Muscle to Relax after contraction) There are different reasons for this to happen, mine is because of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy which is a genetic heart muscle disease.

2. Left Ventricular Systolic Function-Here is where they say you are normal-this means that the "squeezing" function of the left ventrical heart muscle still squeezes as it should.

Systolic=Squeezing (Contracting of heart muscle)
Diastolic=Relaxation of heart muscle after Contracting heart muscle

3. Dialated Ascending Aorta-this means that your Aorta (Main artery out of the heart to the body) is larger than it should be-the doc's will watch this , so if it gets too big (or dialated) then they will go in and repair it so that it doesn't rupture.

4. The heavily calcified aortic valve means you are headed for aortic stenosis, also it states that you have a bicuspid aortic valve. This means you have only 2 leaflets to the valve as opposed to the normal 3 that most people have

5. Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation This means you have either a trace (barely detectable)(In Your Case-The Mitral Valve. The Tricuspid is at a mild stage which is a little worse than Mild, However, the doc's will tell you not to worry about it...(That is a matter of personal Opinion... )

Anyway, I hope this helps you, as it seems like you and I are in fairly the same situation (with the execption that I have Pulmonary Hypertension), and please know that if you need any help, if I can give it, please call on me...Meanwhile, Take Care, and Welcome. Harrybaby666

 

[schwerdj]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Good job on explaining things Harry! Right now I really do not have any symptoms except once in awhile shortness of breath on exertion. Try to walk 3 miles a day- a little slower than last year but I'm also older. I don't tolerate heat as well as last year either. Dr. said with the severe stenosis and anyeurism i should not lift weights so I added bicycle riding but I'm no Lance Armstrong!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

It sounds like your Cardiologist is giving you the standard (cardiologist) answer, "Wait until things get WORSE and then have surgery".

The problem with that approach is that the heart muscles / walls will reach a point where they will NOT return to their previous size and condition. In other words, if you wait too long you will develop PERMANENT DAMAGE to your heart. MANY of our members had surgery before developing symptoms (or they were not aware of symptoms until after when they realized how much better they felt).

My recommendation is that you ask for a referal to a surgeon who has a lot of experience with Bicuspid Aortic Valves (most need replacement - waiting for 'symptoms' only guarantees that your condition will be WORSE by the time you have surgery - it will NOT get better with medication or time).

As one of our RN Patients so aptly said, "If you have a condition that can ONLY be corrected by surgery (such as BAV w/stenosis), get a SURGICAL opinion".

If your cardio won't give you a recommendation, start searching on your own. There are a number of good surgeons in the Chicago area. Hopefully some of our Chicago members will supply their names / hospitals.

FWIW, many (most?) doctors consider an effective aortic valve area of 0.8 sq cm as the threshold for surgery. The 'standard' threshold for an aneurism is 5.0 cm. Ask our moderator Ross about his thoughts on this. His aneurism BURST at 4.7 cm. He is one of the lucky few to survive such an event. Best to AVOID any STRENUOUS activity until you have that aneurism repaired!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[JimL]

Talk to a surgeon.
Symptoms can come on rapidly.
I felt like I was getting older too; I was 46-1/2 when I had surgery; it's wonderful to be young again! I also had surgery at the last possible moment, since the surgeon said my aortic valve was calcified shut.
Talk to a surgeon.

 

[Chrisandgary]

Talk to a surgeon.
Symptoms can come on rapidly.
I felt like I was getting older too; I was 46-1/2 when I had surgery; it's wonderful to be young again! I also had surgery at the last possible moment, since the surgeon said my aortic valve was calcified shut.
Talk to a surgeon.

Talk to a surgeon - like they said above this is not something you hold off on.
My Husband Gary has an aortic aneurysm of 5.5 or 5.6 depending on who you talk to . He had the Ross in 97 and a mechanical in 00. He is 37.
Gather all of the information you can and get the best surgeons you can find and make the rounds!
Good luck - vr.com is the best place for you to be!
Christine