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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Inaccurate results due to mild cardiomegaly
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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Inaccurate results due to mild cardiomegaly
by Dave 1652, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
I am 53 years old. For the past 10 years, my yearly echos showed an aortic root of 4.7. Four years ago, a MRI showed it at 4.0. My Dr. didn't believe the test. 4 months ago, the MRI/MRA also said the root was 4.0. The radiologist suspected mild cardiomegaly. I had it reread by another radiologist, who confirmed 4.0.
I need to find out if this is my normal aorta size, or if I have a connective tissue syndrome like Marfan. I am 6'1" and was a runner before this. When I was in my 30's, from an EKG, I was told I had a mildly enlarged heart. All of the other sizes on the echo report are normal, and the valve is normal. My blood pressure is 112/80, and my pulse is 55. The reason I had the initial echo was because I fainted while urinating.
For 10 years, I haven't lifted any more than 20 lbs. and have been on 25 mg toprol. Now, I feel I have been misdiagnosed, and my aorta is "normal" for me. But, how can I find out for sure?
I need to find out if this is my normal aorta size, or if I have a connective tissue syndrome like Marfan. I am 6'1" and was a runner before this. When I was in my 30's, from an EKG, I was told I had a mildly enlarged heart. All of the other sizes on the echo report are normal, and the valve is normal. My blood pressure is 112/80, and my pulse is 55. The reason I had the initial echo was because I fainted while urinating.
For 10 years, I haven't lifted any more than 20 lbs. and have been on 25 mg toprol. Now, I feel I have been misdiagnosed, and my aorta is "normal" for me. But, how can I find out for sure?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
Dave,
Marfans is not always a straightforward diagnosis, but in general there are guidelines based on a set criteria that you should be able to review with a physician during a careful history and physical. An isolated aortic root dilitation is not suffiient enough to make the diagnosis.
Further, there is a sujective component to the measurement and reading of your echos.
If you want to convince yourself, I would seek an opinion at a center that has specialist that see alot of marfans patients. They could hopefully answer your questions and ally any concerns.
good luck
Marfans is not always a straightforward diagnosis, but in general there are guidelines based on a set criteria that you should be able to review with a physician during a careful history and physical. An isolated aortic root dilitation is not suffiient enough to make the diagnosis.
Further, there is a sujective component to the measurement and reading of your echos.
If you want to convince yourself, I would seek an opinion at a center that has specialist that see alot of marfans patients. They could hopefully answer your questions and ally any concerns.
good luck
Member Comments (2)
by pbanders, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
I had surgery on 2/8/04 to replace my ascending aorta with a graft, after a diagnosis in January showed a 5x5 cm dilation by CT, and 5.3 by echo. I am 46, 6'/155 lbs, and athletic. I have made a full recovery. I urge you to seek other expert opinions on your condition until you are satisfied with the diagnosis. My surgeon was Dr. Vincent A. Gaudiani, Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA. Look him up on the web, he's well-known. Contact Dr. Gaudiani if you are seeking an expert opinion.
