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echocardiogram low EJ

I had an echo about a year ago and was told my ej was 35-40 -  I recently had another , expecting it to be improved and was very disappointed  that the results showed 25-30.  Now the cardiologist is talking about defibulators/pacemakers again.   How accurate is the echo - does it have anything to do with the tech. that does it or the doctors who read it?  
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351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Ejection fraction is usually measured by echocardiography. Yes subjective errors are possible. However if in doubt other methods can be employed such as cardiac MRI, MUGA scan, ventriculography, and a CT scan. Of these ventriculography is the gold standard for ejection fraction calculation.
Please consult your cardiologist and discuss whether the EF can be measured by some other method. Also certain medications too help improve cardiac function. Discuss all possibilities. If nothing helps then defibrillators and pacemakers help. Hope this helps. Take care!
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1192491 tn?1265031829
That's getting down there...I think I would go for the defibulator/pacemaker...do you have arrythmia?  I had down to 30 ej but no mention of defibulator only that I could go on the transplant list at 20 ej...I did not have arrythmia at the time but was in heart failure.  Are you on Coreg?  You must be so tired.
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Avatar universal
there is a somewhat subjective element to echos in their interpretation.  From what I understand a really good ejection is obvious and a really low ejection is obvious but the borderline ejections can be subject to interpretation.  I believe MUGA scans are a bit more objective.
hope that helps,
Ally
Helpful - 0
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