Echo

[Crow92]

Can you explain Concentric left ventricular hypertrohy w/ an age indeterminate inferior posterior infarct, EF 45%?  Not sure what this really says except an "old Heart attack'???

[Crow92]

Everything on the ECHO is normal except IVS=1.3    LVPW= 1.3   RV=3.8  /Ejection fraction  EDV==177.4ml, ESV=97.4ml, EF=45.1%, Method=Mod Simpsons
Left Ventricle= There appears to be concentric left ventricular hypertrohy w/ global reduction in contractility and calculated EF of 45%.  There is no evidence to implicate diastolic abnormality.  Short axis views of the left ventricle suggest an age indetrminate inferior posterior wall infarct and this is also substantiated in the apical 2 chamber view. Grade I diastolic dysfunction is evident.

So can you make me understand tis is old and not to worry if all other parts of this ECHO were normal and no evidence of abnormality? A friend who is a nurse said a stent would be in order and another said bypass. please shed some light.  Also, just started on Diovan HCT 160mg 1qd, Glucophage 1000mg 1bid, zocor 1qd, plavixx 1qd.
Thank you.

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy means that there is symmetrical thickening of the heart and it frequently occurs with high blood pressure. The normal ejection fraction is 55 to 60 percent.
If you have had an inferior-posterior infarction it should be seen on the echo as a local abnormality of poor or no contraction.  The echo should be more accurate to detect a prior MI than the EKG.