Why are my Echocardigrams all diffrent from the previous ones,

[Ronnie478]

I am very puzzled about the reults of my 5 echocardigrams,I have had 5 every year since 2008,Every one says a diffrent problem,For instance on one echo I had MVp with trace leakage,The year after that it showed no sign of MVP but trace leakage and thickening,I wont go on and on about all the reults of all my echos, however, why are findiongs and results diffrent from one reading to another? and how accuarte are echocardigrams?

[Ronnie478]

I dont really know why all the yearly echos  but in 2012 I didnt get one,I was first diagnosed in 2008 with mvp with thickening and calcification trace reguratation,and trace leak in other valves except the aorta ,but he to this day shows no concern or feels I need treatment of any kind just visits every 6 months,I am not sure why all the echos,Good question to ask him thiough,

[Jerry_NJ]

Less than perfect operation in heart valve is very common, and I believe the echo is subject to some "eye ball" estimating, the measurements are not physical "Hands-on", so small differences can be in the judgement of the "reader" and due in apart to slightly different angles on the echo path.  

If you get an echo every year, your doctor must have a strong reason for watching.  What is the reason for frequent echo reading?

I get a echo every three years due to the fact I have permanent atrial fibrillation and a repaired mitral valve.  I know Medicare (and my private insurance) limits diagnostic echo once every three yeast  - not a real expensive procedure, at least not at the approved Medicare rate - as long as the doctors will keep accepting those lower payments.

Bottom line in my mind, don't make "too much" of small differences in echo reading.