Yeah, finally got my test results...

[Mom2four85]

I got my test results in the mail today, so I want to go over those with the new EP to see what she says. My cardiologist & EP now said there was a "tad" of mvp which I see, but I also see some things they didn't tell me :(

Echocardiogram results:
Mild Tricuspid insufficency
Trace Mitral valve in sufficency
Pulmonic valve was not well visualized due to a technically difficult 2D echo
Mild Concentric left ventricular hypertropy
EF rate of 55%
Dilated left atrium with normal left atrial pressures

24 hr holter results:
54,181 very frequent complex ventricular ectopys with bigeminy & trigeminy
2 runs of NSVT, 2 couplets, 3 triplets, 2 atrial contractions
Rare atrial ectopy

Stress test:  4:55 min test
Sinus rhythm with slow R wave progression in the precordial leads
Frequent pvc's - 2 PVC couplets and 1 PVC triplet
Sinus Tachycardia with no signifiant ST-T wave changes
QRS segment of PVC's narrowed substantially with exercise, widening again in recovery (180 ms to 80 ms)

BP - 130/70 resting - 150/90 high

I posted on my original question, but in all my rambling the past week it may be lost to some.

Please post any thoughts, suggestions? I go to a new EP tomorrow & have a sheet of questions to ask before I go through with Ablation.

Thanks in advance.

[ptadvoc8]

I'm so glad you found some answers and got the time and attention you needed! And it sounds like you found an EP in whom you have great confidence, which is so important. When are you having the EPS? Good luck and best wishes with that and please do keep us posted!

[catspeaks]

Sounds like you're finally getting solid answers, and while we may not always like the answers, I think knowing is half the battle.
I finally got the results while wearing my halter/event monitor.  I went into A-fib for about 90 minutes before returning to a normal sinus.  I stayed in the hospital overnight and was put on cardizem and 325 mil Ecotrin.  I''ll call my doctor tomorrow to try and get a better understanding and handle on this.
Keep us posted Lisa, answers and your doctor really explaining the situation are so imporant and helps keep the stress level way down (which always makes the problem worse, the stress that is).
Sami

[Mom2four85]

ptadvoc8 I did just this for my 2nd opinion - there's a major univeristy near us and I went in not knowing what to think.  No other dr has spent over an hour just talking to me about symptoms - the Intern was fantastic and explained so much to me about my tests & things going on.

The EP that is the head of the heart dept came in to see me and spent an extra 15-20 min  talking to me.

Seems I've had some doctors who have just overlooked some major symptoms they should have found 5 years ago.  I'm confident enough with this EP to have surgery with her.  She just had a patient with 39,000 pvc's that she fully cured with ablation alone, which is comforting because no other drs have seen 54,000 pvc's like I have.

There's some baffling things to them they can't explain like thickening of the left ventrical they have no clue about - usually caused by high BP but I've never had anything above 130/85 and I'll have to watch my valves since I have some trace & mild insufficiency

Jerry my f-i-l is like that, he's 76 and had 3 attacks now and going to the VA is a joke - but at least he has a great cardio dr he found in his first surgery.  The va will put him on some medicine just to get him out of their office. One med made him pass out but didnt look at his medicines before they prescribed for interactions.

After surgery they said they'll have more answers & info for me - which will help alot for me.

[ptadvoc8]

I would definitely seek a second (and even third if needed) opinion on these results. If you are still feeling uncertain about things or confused after seeing this next EP, then you might want to consider going to a major teaching or university where they tend to give you more time and attention -- just remember some of that involves students, fellows and residents who are still learning.

It's always good to remind yourself that you have every right (and responsibility) to get the information you need when you go for (and pay for) medical care. The fact that the first cardio is "not happy" with your seeking a second opinion, and even more so that he didn't explain these results to you, would give me some cause for concern. This is about YOU and your care, not his feelings!

If possible, can you take a support person with you to your appointment? A good support person can help you ask tough questions, show the medical staff that you are serious about getting proper care and help you evaluate what the doctors tell you.

Good luck!

[Jerry_NJ]

I hope your EP has been helpful.  

I've worked with both a cardiologist, my regular heart doctor, and a consulting EP over a period of 6 month.  The EP tried new drugs, and an electrocardioversion for my AFib, when none worked and I didn't want to try any of the stronger drugs, I was returned to my cardiologist.  Both seemed willing to answer my questions, but neither seemed inclined to spend the time to give me tutorials on the fine details of tests, even though I have asked for and gotten details reports on paper.

I'm a senior and expect the Medicare rates don't encourage the doctor to put a lot of time in on a visit, and I expect to see this getting worse in the future...even for younger people who have insurance or deep pockets given the move for the federal government to  "manage" health care.

[Mom2four85]

I wish I could ask my doctor what they mean - they dont like I am going for a second opinion.  

I like to be an educated patient and find as much out I can about things on tests - I've had a couple of doctors miss things and then I end up in surgery for something they missed or overlooked.

Hopefully my new EP will give me some answers, if not then I'll keep searching

Thanks for the reply

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry you haven't gotten some analysis or your results, but I think most of us don't know what many of the tests mean, not even on our own results.  

I generally look over the details as much as I can, and ask my doctor about the those that I feel uncomfortable with...along with the assumption that my doctor will tell me about anything unusual and what to expect from it.

Good luck with your next doctor visit.