Echo

[jan]

I just had a 2 D echo my ep ordered to check my MR and see if I required antibiotic proph.  The tech told me ( and a tech he was training) that the dr. was also looking for MVP ( on my last echo it was stated no evidence of MVP, but there was thicken'g of the anterior leaflet) and anything structural that would cause syncope.  My questions are:  1. Is there a difference between an echo and a 2 d echo?  2. What would be structural that would cause syncope?  3. The tech pointed out TR, that's Tricuspid regurg., isn't it?  4.  He measured the T Wave (8) and the A Wave (6).  What are they and what is the significance of the measurements?  Thank you so much for your time and help.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Jan,

I wish you the best of luck.  Please keep track of this leaky valve over the years, probably every couple of years or so. So if there is any change it can be addressed early rather than late.

[jan]

Thank you so much.  After watching my mom suffer through bypass and valve replacement surgery with complications due to CHF and diabetes 10 years ago and then watching her die a very slow death, this past Feb., from the CHF, I needed the reassurance.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear jan,  
You should lead a normal life with this mildly leaky valve.  It is important to control your blood pressure and weight and with any luck this will not progress.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Jan,

This mild regurgitation is unlikely to cause syncope and would be considered Heart disease.

[jan]

Here I go, again...I know you said it's "heart disease", but I've, also, been told it's common and there's no "perfect" heart valve and seeing it's "mild" regurgitation, is my heart still considered "healthy"?  My 2nd question is: is there anything I can do to slow (or stop) it's progression?   Thanks for your patience.

[jan]

Thank you for your answer.  Would you mind answering a few more questions? If both valves are of mild regurg. (which I actually don't know, yet) could that cause syncope?  Also, if they are mild, along with IST and neurocardiogenic syncope (yes, another syncope), my heart is still considered healthy, isn't it. Lastly, but along the same lines, is any of this considered heart disease?  Thanks, again.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear jan,
In response to your questions.
1. Is there a difference between an echo and a 2 d echo? No this is just a difference in terminology.  To be correct there is an M mode echo ( 1 dimensional), 2-D and 3D echos.  For clinical purposes we use a combination of M mode and 2d.
2. What would be structural that would
     cause syncope?  Almost any valve disease or a decrease in heart function may cause this.
3. The tech pointed out TR, that's Tricuspid regurg., isn't it? Yes that is a leak of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium through the TV.  mild TR is very common.
4. He measured the T Wave (8) and
     the A Wave (6). What are they and what is the significance of the measurements? These are measures of right sided pressure and are essentially normal.