Poll re aortic scans

[ccrawford]

About eight months ago when I had my first echo, I noted that the technician did not do a scan of my aorta. At that time, I questioned my cardio as to why not. I had a 6 month post surgery scan not too long ago and noted that this time an aortic scan was done. (You can tell by whether the technician scans your lower abdomen right above your belly button, and also right below your adams apple) I mentioned this change to my cardio, and he said they had made a procedural change. Given the fairly high incidence of aortic problems such as aneurysms, I was glad to see this. I'm curious - during your last echo cardiogram, did you get your aorta scanned ?

 

[Georgia]

nope

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Chris,
At my last checkup on 10/30/03 the Cardiologist told me they would do a yearly echo and do the aorta at that time also. So my first one will be in April 2004.
Take Care

Dave
_______________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical

 

[Ross]

Every one I've had so far, yes indeed!

 

[medtronic of borg]

echo

echo

yep every time.
Med

 

[KathyH]

They have done it in the four echo's that I have had, but never mentioned an aneurysm until I had the TEE. When I got my report from my recent Echo the doctor said the aneursym looked the same, but she said it is hard to really tell how big is is unless you do a CT scan. I guess it is a good screen to find them, if they pay attention to it.

 

[Les]

Every year....

 

[JAMES W]

ECHO

ECHO

CHRIS...

YES, EVERYTIME......

 

[JimL]

I'm not sure I understand the question, but here's my two cents.
I had my yearly echo this fall, all fine, and then the card ordered a CATscan in addition, specifically to look at the aorta. I've had a phone message since that everything was fine, but I don't see the card again until 11-20.

 

[Yokena]

Aortic Scan

Aortic Scan

Hi! My "local" (really 60 miles away from where I live) cardiologist does not do one when I see him, but when I go for my follow-up visits at the Mayo Clinic, they do one. That's every year to year and a half.

Joyce in MS

 

[Nancy]

Oh yes--

I think Joe has been scanned inside out, upside down and sideways.

 

[ccrawford]

Out of ten replies so far, 80% of you have reported getting aortic scans as a byproduct of an echo. Either the WSJ over-dramatized the problem or you guys are selecting a better grade of health care provider, or maybe both. In any event, I'm glad to see this is being done.

 

[KimC]

Chris, good question. You'd think that a problem w/ your aortic valve would necessitate a scan of the aorta. It could be that doctors have problems getting both (heart and aorta) covered by insurance same day. (I was told that I could not have a contrast echo/stress test because of this).

The only time I had this done was when my cardio suspected a dissecting aorta during my recent pregnancy.

 

[ccrawford]

Kim - Your assumption is absolutely correct. My Cardio confirmed this several months ago, but I think something has changed as we are seeing the procedure being done much more routinely now than in the past. Either the insurance procedures have changed, or fear of malpractice has increased or ???? I'm really glad to see this as there were a number of horror stories reported simply from failure to check. Chris

 

[Granbonny]

Didn't notice

Didn't notice

My tech was sooooo good-looking and in a dark room to boot This was my 18 month echo.. Card said it was normal when I saw him a few weeks later. Bonnie

 

[ccrawford]

Gee Bonnie - I don't understand your post. Did your cardio say it was normal for you to be in a dark room with a good looking technician ? - or was it something that happened in that dark room that was normal ? We're all waiting with baited breath to hear the clarification.

 

[Granbonny]

Chris

Chris

Chris..Echo done on Sept. 4th..Saw Cardiologist on Sept. 30th..I asked him about echo..Looked and said..it's fine..I said, thank goodness, the Tech was sooo good-looking. He said, who was he? I said, I dunno? He was more concerned about who he was than my echo Said, they have different tech's to come over. Done in basement....but now, they will be moving into a new building..No more, fun talk..cozy where it was. Hall so small, you bump into all 3 Card's, clinical nurses, ect. Just lots of laughing...Moving up to the big time. Next to our new heart Hospital...Hope they don't get Snooty on me..or I will say..Hey, I helped build this exam room. and I demand the good-looking doctor's looking at my Bod.. Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Dave

Dave

Have you not had one done since surgery? I had 1 at 6 months and at 18 months. He wants to see me every 6 months. Doubt if he wants another until next Sept...I asked my PCP..wonder why he would not turn me loose for just once a year. he said..for what I had done..best every 6 months. Bonnie