Echocardiogram Results

[mo0030]

Just received echocardiogram results.  Could you please tell me what the following means?
Left ventricular -Ejection fraction 60%
Moderate left atrial enlargement
Moderate 2+/4+ mitral insuffiiciency
Moderate tricuspid insufficiency with estimated peak pulmonary artery pressures of 43 mmHg
Trace aortic insufficiency
Does it warrant seeing a cardiologist?  I was referred for possible CHF due to chest Xray.. Would the above results indicate CHF?

[CCF HeartMD5]

Based on the results of your echocardiogram, I believe that you should see a cardiologist.

Your echocardiogram report indicates that your left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart, functions normally. An ejection fraction of 55% or greater is considered normal. Your echocardiogram indicates that your left atrium is enlarged and that the pressures in your lung arteries is slightly elevated. Of note, your echo also indicates that your have two leaky heart valves. Both your mitral valve and tricuspid valve are leaky. This means that as the heart squeezes, blood flows backwards across these valves from your ventricles to your atria (the upper chambers of the heart). The leaky mitral valve may be the cause of  your enlarged left atrium and elevated pulmonary pressures.

You should follow up with a cardiologist. It would be important to know if things change over time, and if you are having any symptoms of shortness of breath, chest pain, and decreased exercise tolerance. Your cardiologist will be able to precribe the correct medications, and determine when and if there is a need for surgery. CHF or congestive heart failure is typically caused by a weak heart that does not pump well (a reduced EF< 55%) however other heart problems, such as disease of the heart valves, can cause congestive heart failure.

[CCF HeartMD6]

There are a number of findings in your echocardiogram that would fall out of the normal range - including the mitral and tricuspid valve being "leaky." There are a number of causes for this -- and is best evaluated by the ordering physician so it can be interpreted correctly with the clinical situation in which it was initially ordered.