Bicuspid aortic valve oblique closure line. No haemodynamically insignificant as or ar, normal left ventricular functions. Sinus rhythm during study. can anybody please explain this impression?
Q; "Aortic Valve Sclerosis is important to watch as it can progress to **aortic valve stenosis which is a thickening of the valve leaflets** that will cause regurgitation as the valve may not function properly."
>>>Slight correction if I understand the comment. AV stenosis is different from regurgitation. Aerotic regurg is backflow of blood into the LV chamber rather being pumped into circulation and that can be caused by leaflets not effectively closing AND/OR annulus (valve opening structure) enlargement. This condition if advanced can cause concentric hypertrophy (heart wall thickens) as the heart works harder to compensate for the reduced cardiac output (>less volume per stroke increase in HR and EF) For the etiology, this type of ventricle is capable of generating greater forces and higher pressures, while the increased wall thickness maintains normal wall stress. This type of ventricle becomes "stiff" which can impair filling and lead to diastolic dysfunction.
Aorta stenosis is a narrowing of the annulus often the result of calcium buildup and occurs often with the aging population. Aorta stenosis increases the resistence the left ventricole pumps against. This condition can pathologically increase intra chamber left ventricle pressure and this can cause the atrium (left) to enlarge and that can also cause reduced filling. This also can cause diastolic disfunction.
Q: "Can you tell from looking at the detail values on why the conclusion states that. Is Aortic Valve Sclerosis a subjective reading and could be due to ultra sound variations or artifacts?"
......I'll try to evaluate the degree of abnormal filling pressure, if any, can be related to tthe E/A ratio. Normally, early filling exceeds the atrial component of filling (first there is an (E) early flow of blood into the LV and "A", and so the mitral inflow velocity profile shows a bigger E than A wave. With impaired relaxation (wall thickness), the E component will be reduced, resulting in a lower E:A ratio. Conversely, with a restrictive pattern (concentric LV), the E component is said to be increased , resulting in an abnormally high E:A.
Hope this helps provide an insight. I'm guessing that the echo could have picked up an artifact and that based on the rest of the findings, your doctor was assured that all was well. Since it is an "abnormal" finding, for peace of mind, give the office a call and leave a message for the doctor about your concerns. I'm sure the doctor can put everything into perspective and reassure you about the findings.
Thank you for sharing. Take care,
Ken
Aortic Valve Sclerosis is important to watch as it can progress to aortic valve stenosis which is a thickening of the valve leaflets that will cause regurgitation as the valve may not function properly. This is the cause of the common murmur you always hear about. This is not a definitive marker for progression of future cardiac events, but your doctor will most likely want to check on it every so often to make sure it's not progressing. As with most readings on a echo, they are subject to interpretation and may vary from one echo to another.
I would not be concerned about this based on what I'm reading in your post. Just ask your doctor how often he plans of checking it.
I think it's safe for you to relax and be happy with your results!
Jon
Jon thank you so much for answering my question. I feel a lot better now. However, I'm still concerned about the Aortic Valve Sclerosis diagnosis shown on the stress Echo. Can you tell from looking at the detail values on why the conclusion states that. Is Aortic Valve Sclerosis a subjective reading and could be due to ultra sound variations or artifacts? I think i'm somewhat of a hypochondriac and whenever i come across any abnormal results i worry too much.
thanks again!
These are pretty much all normal, really nothing disturbing that I can see. The LVH is noted because your septal wall thickness was 1.17 cm and should be at 1.1 cm but your number is fine. Most cardiologists don't get concerned until it exceeds 1.5 cm and yours could be due to excessive exercise resulting in more muscle mass, really nothing to worry about. If these were my results, I would be happy with them.
I'm sure others will post as well, but there's my 2 cents.
Good luck,
Jon