Laboratory Result Expiration

[Richie_Ong]

How long does a laboratory result (2d echo, cxr, ecg) expire? does this rely on the current condition of the patient? or the severity of the condition?

[Midijane]

Hi Richie, your doctor may re-order tests if you are having new symptoms. A CXR can be done as often as need be. Patients in the hospital can have a CXR done several times daily if they need it. An EKG is the same, it can be done as often as symtptoms start up. An echocardiogram repeat is up to the Cardiologist and yes it would depend on your clinical presentation and symptoms.
Hope this helped. Midijane.

[Jerry_NJ]

Very, very patient specific.  There are also limits in the USA from insurance companies (or Medicare for seniors) on frequency.  For example I suffer from heart problems Afib and have undergone open hear surgery.  During the period up to and following the surgery I had lots of repeated testing, such as echocardiograms.  Now I am "allowed" one echo every 3 years and that is what my cardiologist does.  

My conclusion is most people don't need an echo on a periodic basis, but if heart problems are known or suspected testing needs to be done frequently enough to detect any problems and to track its progress or cure.

I have a ecg at least once a year, really twice:  my primary care does one for my annual physical and my cardiologist does one during  one of my two annual check-ups.  Again, I suffer from a heart problem, prior to that an ecg (ekg) was very rare.