Confused about Echo Results

Posted by Suzanne on April 13, 1999 at 13:58:25
Hi.  I had an ECC in January and was told by my doctor that the results were fine.  I just obtained a copy of the results and am confused by some of the findings and wonder if I need to be worried and have another one done.  First, "there was fusion of early and late LV diastolic filling 2 degrees tp tachycardia."  Second, "the aortic valve was trileaflet."  Third, "there was doppler evidence for trivial tricuspid valvular regurgitation."  Fourth, "pulmonic valve was not well visualized" and "peak right ventricular and pulmonary artery systolic pressures could not be accurately determined."  And finally, "left ventricular fractional shortening was 51%."  I can accept that this is normal if I knew what the heck it all meant.  The only thing I know is that I have continuous chest pains--specically on the left side/breast, left arm tingling, heart "flutters," fatigue, shortness of breath, and elevated heartbeat even when sitting.  I am a 28 year old female in relatively good health--I don't smoke or do any drugs (except social alcohol), I eat a very balanced diet and take vitamins, exercise regularly (not heavy because I get winded but I at least always walk), and I avoid caffeine almost completely.
Any answers or input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
--Suzanne

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on April 14, 1999 at 13:27:09
Dear Suzanne,
There is nothing abnormal in any of those statements/results:
1.A normal EF (fractional shortening) is anything greater than or = to 50%
2.The aortic valve is supposed to be tricuspid (i.e. have three leaflets.)
3.A small amount of tricuspid regurgitation is normal and probably is not there all the time.
AND SO ON....
Other than them not being able to estimate your pulmonary arterial pressure on the echo (sometimes this is not possible for technical reasons, in the same way they were unable to see your pulmonic valve), there is nothing in the findings that can explain any of your symptoms.  Of your symptoms the most concerning is your shortness of breath-this requires further investigation, i.e. knowing the pulmonary artery pressure, testing your lungs and stamina so to speak with a stress or metabolic stress test.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.