stress test results

[lisa280]

I recieved my results but no explanation of them.One part says stress images demonstrated a small area of mid and basal inferior perfusion defect extending into the basal inferoseptal wall.At rest there was partial reversibility in this defect.
What?Is this as bad as it sounds?

[kenkeith]

Inferior perfusion defect provides the area where there is some vessel blockage with exertion. At rest the effect of blockage is minimized.  

Your condition may treated with medication to dilate the vessels and that may be the only treatment necessary.  Some individuals may have a stent implant for the blockage if it is greater than 70%.  A non-interventional cardiologist (my doctor) treats with mediation and I feel fine (100% LAD natural by-pass growth, 72% ICX).  My oringinal cardiologist (4 years ago and quickly dismissed and he moved to Al) wanted to stent the ICX after a few months earlier doing an angioplasy of 98% RCA blockage.

You may want to google the COURAGE study for detailed information regarding interventional procedures for occluded vessels vs. medication.  The results of that medical study concluded there was no difference in life span regardless of  procedure or medication.  If medication relieves your pain, if any, then opting for meds may be the wise choice.

[lisa280]

THANKS FOR THE INFO.IT WAS SCARY.THE IMAGING RESULTS SAY A SMALL AREA OF INFEROSEPTAL ISCHEMIA AND A SMALL TO MODERATE AREA OF SUPERIMPOSED INFEROSEPTAL AND INFERIOR INFARCT NOTED.DO YOU THINK THEY WILL COME AT ME WITH STENTS OR MEDS.?DO YOU KNOW WHAT ANY OF THAT MEANS?      THANKS,LISA

[kenkeith]

An infarct is necrosis (dead) of heart cells usully the result of an occlusion (blocked artery).  Sometimes cells are just stunned and return to a normal function when supplied with blood/oxygen.  I had necrosis at the distal (bottom) portion of the heart and a stent in the RCA (coronary), and it appears on an echo there is very little impairment and the heart's pumping ability is normal.

The degree of infarct and location is significant, and you may be a candidate for a stent implant and/or medication.  To have a better understanding of the infarct effects, an echo can determine the degree of hypokenisis (heart wall movement) impairment due to an infarct and related symptoms to determine appropriate treatment.