Aa
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
MY PRESENT DOCTOR INDICATES THAT HE CANNOT ASSOCIATE MY PRESENT CONDITION
WITH HEART PROBLEMS I HAD 30 YEARS AGO BECAUSE I HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION OF MY
EJECTION FRACTION FROM THEN.
MY PRESENT EF OF LESS THAN 30 IS LOWER THAN MEAUSERMENTS TAKEN 2 YEARS AGO WHEN
MY CARDIOLOGIST SAID IT WAS AROUND 40.
MY QUESTION IS HOW LONG AGO OR WHEN DID THEY START USING ECHOCARDIOGRAMS TO MEASURE
EJECTION FRACTION? WHER CAN I FIND OUT INFO ON WHEN THIS WAS DEVELOPED?
WITH HEART PROBLEMS I HAD 30 YEARS AGO BECAUSE I HAVE NO DOCUMENTATION OF MY
EJECTION FRACTION FROM THEN.
MY PRESENT EF OF LESS THAN 30 IS LOWER THAN MEAUSERMENTS TAKEN 2 YEARS AGO WHEN
MY CARDIOLOGIST SAID IT WAS AROUND 40.
MY QUESTION IS HOW LONG AGO OR WHEN DID THEY START USING ECHOCARDIOGRAMS TO MEASURE
EJECTION FRACTION? WHER CAN I FIND OUT INFO ON WHEN THIS WAS DEVELOPED?
An echo calculates heart chamber diminsions and volume of blood pumped with each stroke. The math equation is diastole volume (peak filling) minus systole (volume after pumping) divided by diastole for the percentage.
You can calculate your fraction shortening (FS) which is similar to EF but relies on dimensions rather than volume. To calculate subtract systole dimension from diastole dimension and divide by diastole for percentage. FS is an estimate of myocardial contractility. For example if left ventricle does not normally (thick wall), FS and EF will be reduced. An increase in myocardial stiffness of the heart wall will reduce FS and EF. If there is hypokinesis (heart wall movement impairment), there will be a reduction of FS and EF, etc.
You will need your prior echo reports. Your present report can provide information regarding LV size, if it is enlarged there will be a decrease tjhat may decrease contractions, and/or there is hypokinesis from a prior heart attack, viral, etc..
You can calculate your fraction shortening (FS) which is similar to EF but relies on dimensions rather than volume. To calculate subtract systole dimension from diastole dimension and divide by diastole for percentage. FS is an estimate of myocardial contractility. For example if left ventricle does not normally (thick wall), FS and EF will be reduced. An increase in myocardial stiffness of the heart wall will reduce FS and EF. If there is hypokinesis (heart wall movement impairment), there will be a reduction of FS and EF, etc.
You will need your prior echo reports. Your present report can provide information regarding LV size, if it is enlarged there will be a decrease tjhat may decrease contractions, and/or there is hypokinesis from a prior heart attack, viral, etc..
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