Re: Echocardiogram/EKG

Posted By CCF Cardio MD - MTR on February 19, 1998 at 22:34:09:

In Reply to: Echocardiogram/EKG posted by Valerie Hilburn on February 17, 1998 at 19:06:19:







: I was a Phen-Fen user for two months.  My first echocardiogram/EKG two years ago showed some diastolic dysfunction and scatterred PVCs.  Now echocardiogram shows two moderately leaking valves.  If I haven't taken Phen-Fen in the last two years, my first questions is how can my echo change so much so quickly, and second, does this indicate that it's going to continue to worsen?



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Dear Valerie, thank you for your question.  Regarding your use of phen-fen
two years ago, I consulted our expert here on this subject and he believes
that with only two months of using these drugs and the two years of
time it took for your valves to become leaky, it's highly unlikely that
phen-fen contributed to the current problem.  Phen-fen almost always
just causes problems with one valve and leaves "waxy" deposits on the
affected valves which can be seen with echocardiography.  Your prior
echocardiogram showed diastolic dysfunction which means that the heart contracts normally
but doesn't relax correctly and has trouble receiving blood from the lungs
to pump to the rest of the body.  This condition is most commonly caused
by chronic high blood pressure.  Why your valves are leaking now and
weren't two years ago is hard to ascertain without being able to see your
echocardiogram.  It could be that your diastolic dysfunction has worsened
and your heart is beginning to dilate which could stretch the valves and
cause them to leak. I suggest that you discuss this further with your
cardiologist.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is for general purposes only.  
Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.