heart

[matdat]

I recently received an Echocardiogram for LV function my consultat was very vague with the report to me can you help
The Mitral, Tricuspid and Pulmonic valves all showed mild valvular regurgitation
Ejection Fraction was 45-50%
Left and right Atrium were midly dilated
Mild thickening of the Mitral and Aortic leaflet tips
Inferior and Basal anterior wall hypokinsia
I have in 2001 had four bypasses
this may be long but would be grateful for an interatation

[matdat]

Sorry left one tablet off i am also on Amiodarone

[matdat]

Thank you for your reply I am on the medication you state also Warfarin and Isosorbite Mononitrate due to AF and the angina which has recently started up

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

didn't have time to punch greater than or equal to.  remember, all EF numbers are plus or minus 5% anyway.

[tickertock]

MY last echo in 2005 my Ef was estimated at 55%, I noticed the doc wrote > 55% was normal heart function, I was told my heart function was normal, hope this still applys or has the numbers and they are only numbers changed  since then. As usual I'm pretty good at offering  comfort but not so good at taking it, at least the "neurotic" that still is in me can admit it. :)

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

As alarming as that may sound, it isn't that bad.  normal heart function is >55%.  45-50% is very reasonable for someone that has had 4 vessel cabg.  Mild valvlular leaking is also nothing to worry about.

The real question is are you on the right medications:
Aspirin
Statin (zocor, simvastatin, lipator, etc)
beta blocker (atenolol, metoprolol, etc)
ACE inhibitor or ARB (lisinopril, ramapril etc)

These are important long term interventions.

I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.

[tickertock]

First  i would like to state I'm not a medical doctor, but for someone with 4 bypasses from what I know your echo report is not bad and not much out of the normal with only a marginal to mild decrease in ejection fraction, all other findings regarding the valves with mild thickening can occur as one ages and mild regurg is almost considered a normal finding it is so common.Take care, the Forum MD is great and can probably give you a much better idea of what your echo findings represent.