LVEF have been in 70% last 3 echos now at 53%

[lilianna]

I was curious as to why my LFEV on my 2/2009 echo it was at 70% and the RVS was at 37 then in 7/2009 LVEF was at 76% and the RVS at 34 and now 10/2010 LVEF at 53% and RVS 30 . I am more tired, more palpitiations and more shortness of breath ? waht does this mean ?

[kenkeith]

The left ventricle ejection fraction is normal at 50-70%.  This is the amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat.  It is not a static parameter, but varies from heartbeat to heartbeat to help maintain a balance between the right side and left side blood flow just as heart rate and blood pressure.  There doesn't appear to be any problem with your normal LVEF.

The right ventricle systolic (pumping phase) is outside the normal range (15-25 RVS).  This can be the underlying cause of your systems.  Increased RVS is usually associated with higher than normal resistance of the respiratory system.  The pulmonary vessel could be partially occluded, and/or the lungs can be the problem with blocked airways due to embolism.  That could be the cause of you symptoms.

The normal EF indicates the heart is pumping sufficient blood/oxygen into circulation.  The higher than normal RVS without successful treatment can enlarge the right ventricle, and that could reduce the amount of blood pumped to the lungs.  As a result the left ventricle receives
less blood from the lungs and this reduces less blood into circulation, and this condition can cause heart failure.

Hope this helps and if you have any further questions, you are welcome to respond.  Take care.

[lilianna]

Also I have had occasional chest pains !