results from echo

[shortbed]

Hi everyone long time reader first time asking for help. I have had an aortic murmur for a long time last year and a half seems to be showing itself. Went to the cardioligist had echo done and these are my numbers could someone help me dicipher them. RVDd 22 IVSD 12 LVIDd 60 LVPWd 12 LVIDg48 LAD 40 AOd 40 EF%45. doctor has told me i need to go see a surgeon could you guys help me out understanding these numbers in laymans terms. Thanks in advance you guys are the greatest. Oh did I mention Im nervous and scared as h*ll. Thanks, chuck

 

[Cooker]

Welcome Chuck from another South Carolinian....can't help with the number but I wish you well.

 

[Cooker]

Where is your surgery going to be?....Local?

 

[alpha 1]

ef

ef

hi,
i dont know very much cuz im kind of new and still learning, but the ef of 45% is ok, because my son had surgery and it was 50% pre surgery and went lower after and they keep telling me that when it gets back up to 45% that it is pretty normal then, so that is a good thing for you anyway dont know about the rest. good luck.
alpha 1

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome! This site will show you the normal values for an echo exam. Click on echo exam and then "normal values"
http://www.echobyweb.com/htm_level1_eng/introduction.htm

 

[rocksoldier]

welcome! i'm a newbie.......trish

 

[khawkk]

Phyllis.......good ref:

Chuck...Hi!

The figures my doctor gave me was for the size of the opening.
Aortic stenosis(sp). Last year I was at .9 and he said we'd look at it again
in a year. .8 is bad and this yr my valve was 6.7cm.
Do you happen to have those figures.

Grade
Mild 1.
Moderate .9
Severe .8
The site Phyllis recommended looked really good

good luck , Jack

 

[francie12]

I kind of hesitated to reply because I am so not an expert, but my son has very similar numbers to yours (a key number, LVdd, is exactly the same--60) and we are still officially in watch and wait mode. Do you have any symptoms? I know that is an important factor. I'm looking up Phyllis' site and will watch for other replies. Hope you will share what your surgeon has to say. The very best of luck to you.

 

[shortbed]

Hi everyone thanks for the quick responces, phyliss i went to the web site you recomended and tried to understand what i was reading and comparing but i still could not figure it out. My cardiologist is sending me to medical university of south carolina on the 16th to see a valve specialist. Who knows maybe i can get some imformation that i can understand from him. I find myself not even knowing what to ask. Francie yes i am having some symptoms shortness of breath lightheadedness pounding pulse in my neck heart beating all goofy at times and water retention in my legs specifically my right leg after working all day. Again thank you guys for listening your the greatest. chuck

 

[aussigal]

Welcome....

Its intersting how many of us have ended up here after starting out with supposedly innocent murmurs...

There is alot of info here and alot of new friends who have had similar problems to yours who will share their experiences...I'm sure you will learn heaps and soon feel confident with all that is going on.

 

[tobagotwo]

The numbers posted earlier seem a bit tilted. Surgery is available from the minute someone goes below 1.0cm. By that time, they're already well within severe aortic stenosis. Stenosis isn't measured solely by valve size anyway. The pressure gradient across the valve is also involved, amount of left ventricular hypertrophy, as well as a host of other symptoms.

If someone has an aortic opening of .67cm, they sincerely need to get a second opinion. Heck, they need to talk to a surgeon.

Worse, those numbers aren't that accurate, even with a cardiac catheterization. A .67cm could just as easily be an .82cm. Or a .51cm.

Here is Cleveland clinic's opinion:

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com...ment/cardiology/aortic_valve/aortic_valve.htm

1. valve area > 1.2 cm………………………….mild
2. valve area 1.0 to 1.2 cm…………………….moderate
3. valve area 0.8 to 1.0 cm…………………….severe
4. valve area < 0.8 cm………………………….critical

Best wishes,