METS and LVEF

[jcb2010]

Where do I find Mets score results? Is it during a nuclear stress test? I had an EF of 50 during this test .( I see maximium workload attained  8.6 Mets, on the same test). What does it mean ? I also have a calicium heart score of 1046??

[kenkeith]

METs has been described, and it provides a numerical system to measure aorobic tolerance for exertion.
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For a perspective stress testing only identifies people with obstructive coronary artery disease (i.e. those with a >50-70% stenosis). It CAN NOT  differentiate patients who have no coronary artery disease from those who have substantial disease that is not yet obstructive.  Stenosis that is identified with a stress test refers to hard plaque residing in the lumen that can break away and cause heart attack, however, the usual problem with plaque buildup in the lumen is heart failure (chest pain) as there is a diminished flow of blood to heart cells.  Stenosis can also be the result of negative remodeling of the vessel where the vessel bulges (narrows the lumen) from the accumulation of plaque within the vessel layers.

QUOTE:" What does it mean ? I also have a calicium heart score of 1046??"

>>>>>A couple of years or so ago I had a CT scan 128 slice and I had a score over 1000.  CT score is 0 to 400 for each of the 4 major arteries and 1000 represents the total of the four vessels.  I have a totally blocked LAD, stented RCA and 72% occluded ICX.
It was no surprise that my score was high and the prognoses is that I would have a heart event within a year...I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop!  

For me and many others the test reveals nothing of any medical significance and should not be given.  Your high score indicates to me your doctor already knew you had CAD.....  "•Calcium Screening Heart Scans are elective tests that are intended for patients who have no symptoms, but who have intermediate risk for heart disease.
•They are not indicated for patients who have acute chest pain or extremely high risk or low risk for underlying heart disease."  Amen!

The CT scan measures the soft plaque, mixture of hard and soft plaque, calcified whatever between the layers of the vessel, and this the beginning of CAD and  the test would be helpful.  When CAD is advanced it the substance between the vessel layer that ruputures, forms a clot, and the clot breaks away causing a heart attack.  This occurrence represents about 90% of the heart attacks.  The hard plaque within the lumen represents about 10% of heart attacks.

Hope this helps give you some insight, and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Thanks for the question, take care,

Ken

[thisolegirl]

Is there a direct correlation between METS & ejection fractions? logically if your EF is less than 40% blood isn't flowing thru your heart very well &would be reflected in your METS upon excertion during a ETT. Am  I oversimplifying?

[erijon]

Mets stands for metabolic equivalent of task and is a measurement of your overall conditioning. 1 met is the amount of energy expended by your body at rest. You achieved 8.6 mets on your stress test which is considered good and represents stage 2 of the Bruce Protocol. Typically, anything between 7 - 9 mets is good and 10 or more is very good. Your EF of 50 is on the low side of normal as well. EF% is the amount of blood pumped from the heart on each beat with normal being 55-75 +/- 5.

Your calcium score must have come from a calcium CT of your arteries. A perfect score is 0 and 1,046 is fairly high. This represents the amount of calcification that was detected in your arteries which COULD indicate blockages. This test does not show soft plaques that are the more dangerous, but most doctors will look at a high calcium score and consider further tests to rule out CAD especially in light of a low EF%.

Hope this helps,

Jon