Echo results

Hi Dr...Just a question about my echo report...I has a stress echo that was done in August and was normal and I have been still having shortness of breath so my Dr ordered a 2D echo and here are the results  Aortic root 3.2, left atrium 3.3, IVST 0.8, LVPW 0.8, LVDD 4.4, LVDS 3.2, EF 60%...It said I was in a "low grade sinus tach" throughout the test...There was "physiologic" insufficiency across the mitral and tricuspid valves and my concern was my peak right ventricular systolic pressure was 35 mmHg. The Dr reported the results as a normal resting 2D echo!! No mention of the elevated PA pressure!! I'm an RN and I know that is slightly elevated, would the tachycardia cause that?? Is 35 considered "mild pulmonary hypertension??" Is it something I should be concerned about?? Get back to me at your convenience...Thank you for your time...JENNY

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Jenny,

I assume a the low grade tachycardia means you are about 100-110 beats per minute?  Tachycardia usually does not cause elevated pulmonary artery pressures although I wonder why your heart rate is elveated (thyroid, anxiety, pulmonary disease, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, etc)  35 mmHg is considered mild pulmonary hypertension, but is still very low.  I don't think it is the primary cause of your shortness of breath.  It may be worhty looking into other causes--pulmonary? rheumatic?

I hope this helps.

[JenDuck66]

Hey Fred...When you say the echo can be off 10-15mmHg you mean it could go either way higher or lower than the actual PA Pressure measured??

[JenDuck66]

Hey Fred...Thanks for the info...Have you had an eccho done your self??

[labrat]

The echo can be off 10 points in either direction depending on the quality of the echo, those reading it, etc.  The only sure measurements for pulmonary pressures are taken during a right heart cath.
Good luck.

[jan]

I was told that I have mildly elevated pulmonary pressure and it was diagnosed by Tricuspid valve (jet), not Pulmonary valve.

[maestro300]

I had an echo done May 2003 for a heart murmur (functional since birth) as a follow-up (29 years old now)  My pulmonary pressure mean was 33mmhg.  I was shocked!   However after reading about how so many people also find this out, I think it's a lot more normal than we think.  The estimation of pulmonary pressure is directly taken from the Tricuspid regurgitant jet.  The kicker is MOST PEOPLE have trivial/mild tricuspid regurgitation (In the normal population) so it has been estimated that they also have high pulmonary pressure.  It probably has no clinical significance.  My Dr. didn't even note it on the echo as being an issue.  Right heart cath is the only true way to find out anyways.  

Just my two cents worth.  

[dafan]

hi Fred, just saw your post and was wondering how you were doing. How are your pvc's? are they frequent everyday? I have the same problem as you, although I dont think i ever had myocarditis,but my pvc's hit all at once. I just cant help believe that they are a totally benign occurence and that what my cardio and EP said is totally honest. They said that everyone has them, they are normal, and ignore them. Ive been figting them for a year now, with occasional breaks from them. But how do we make someone believe that they might be a harbinger of something? Have you come across anything at all that helps? Thank you so much, Rocky.

[JenDuck66]

Hey guys this is my first time on this post and I appreciate all the reassuring comments...I was very anxious over my echo results, I'm a 38 year old nurse and I work on a telemetry floor and sometimes it makes it worse when you know to much!! Thanks again :)

[tickertock]

as they say ignorance is bliss :-)

[dafan]

Hi Fred, Be sure and let me know when you talk with your EP Dr. I just wonder if pvc's are always an indicator that something is wrong if only subtle. I know this they have affected the quality of my life. Even tho all tests they did came back normal. I sometimes wonder if there is just nothing that they know to do to correct them.