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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Pulm. Hypertension
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
Pulm. Hypertension
by labrat, Mar 22, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Doctor,
Because of some severe dyspnea, I had a cath on both sides of the heart to measure the heart/lung pressure as well as look for blockages after having had a false positive stress echo and all was relatively ok (I have a connective tissue disease). However my PFTs show gas exchange problems but the high resolution CT scan shows a lesser problem than the PFTs. It is now thought that my Raynaud's is also affecting the pulm. artery and causing the problem, and I do have some diastolic dysfunction.
They are going to do a cold pressor echo to try to induce the Raynaud's to see what is happening with the Pulm. artery.
Why would there be such a difference between the CT Scan and PFTs, and have you had any experience with something similar. I am an otherwise healthy 42 year old female.
Thank you.
Because of some severe dyspnea, I had a cath on both sides of the heart to measure the heart/lung pressure as well as look for blockages after having had a false positive stress echo and all was relatively ok (I have a connective tissue disease). However my PFTs show gas exchange problems but the high resolution CT scan shows a lesser problem than the PFTs. It is now thought that my Raynaud's is also affecting the pulm. artery and causing the problem, and I do have some diastolic dysfunction.
They are going to do a cold pressor echo to try to induce the Raynaud's to see what is happening with the Pulm. artery.
Why would there be such a difference between the CT Scan and PFTs, and have you had any experience with something similar. I am an otherwise healthy 42 year old female.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Mar 22, 2002 12:00AM
Dear labrat,
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) measure lung capacity and breathing function. If they also do a carbon dioxide exchange test it measures the degree to which your lung is exchanging oxygen. A CT scan on the other hand only shows the anatomic features of the lungs. If there is a problem on one it may or may not reflect on the other test.
I have not seen a case exactly like yours. This is really more in the expertise of a pulmonologist (lung specialist). If you are not already seeing one I would ask your doctor for a referral to a pulmonologist at the nearest major medical center or medical school.
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) measure lung capacity and breathing function. If they also do a carbon dioxide exchange test it measures the degree to which your lung is exchanging oxygen. A CT scan on the other hand only shows the anatomic features of the lungs. If there is a problem on one it may or may not reflect on the other test.
I have not seen a case exactly like yours. This is really more in the expertise of a pulmonologist (lung specialist). If you are not already seeing one I would ask your doctor for a referral to a pulmonologist at the nearest major medical center or medical school.
I'm just really asking for help or even a second channce.