Echo report



V

vivian

Guest
My mother has been feeling really exhausted and shortness of breath in
the last few months and recently was hospitalized dur to fluid in
lungs. Her echo test indicates that:

IMPRESSION:

There is mild degenerative valvular disease. There is hemodynamically
mild aortic, mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. There is normal left
ventricular function. Antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis is
indicated.

Could someone please explain to me in simpler language what all these
means? Is her condition serious? Is this a congestive heart failure?
My mom is 83 and she has been on blood thinner for a year and has high
BP problem. She has difficulty breathing from time to time and is
always tired. Her family doctor seems to think nothing can be done at
this time to improve her condition and that its a matter of time.
Naturally we are very worried. I would appreciate any advice that could
help her to breathe easier. I suggested to give her oxygen through the
nose but her doctor does not think its a good idea.
 
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:47:20 GMT, vivian <[email protected]> wrote:

>My mother has been feeling really exhausted and shortness of breath in
>the last few months and recently was hospitalized dur to fluid in
>lungs. Her echo test indicates that:
>
>IMPRESSION:
>
>There is mild degenerative valvular disease. There is hemodynamically
>mild aortic, mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. There is normal left
>ventricular function. Antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis is
>indicated.
>
>Could someone please explain to me in simpler language what all these
>means? Is her condition serious? Is this a congestive heart failure?
>My mom is 83 and she has been on blood thinner for a year and has high
>BP problem. She has difficulty breathing from time to time and is
>always tired. Her family doctor seems to think nothing can be done at
>this time to improve her condition and that its a matter of time.
>Naturally we are very worried. I would appreciate any advice that could
>help her to breathe easier. I suggested to give her oxygen through the


You did not mention diuretics. I always thought that they were given
when there was fluid on the lungs but perhaps there is a
contraindication because of her BP and her age. Perhaps the valves
are not bad enough for replacement to be considered and it would be
traumatic surgery at her age. I had three damaged valves but the
mitral has been replaced and I am a lot younger than your Mum. I
should have thought there was something to give her to help her
breathing. It is so distressing and I hope that something can be done.
Diana
>nose but her doctor does not think its a good idea.
 
vivian wrote:

> My mother has been feeling really exhausted and shortness of breath in
> the last few months and recently was hospitalized dur to fluid in
> lungs. Her echo test indicates that:
>
> IMPRESSION:
>
> There is mild degenerative valvular disease. There is hemodynamically
> mild aortic, mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. There is normal left
> ventricular function. Antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis is
> indicated.
>
> Could someone please explain to me in simpler language what all these
> means?

The echo report describes only mild abnormalities.

> Is her condition serious?

Clinically, yes. Based on the echo impressions, no.

> Is this a congestive heart failure?

Clinically what you describe sounds like congestive heart failure. Because
the echo report reports normal left ventricular function (presumably
systolic), the problem is likely diastolic dysfunction.

>
> My mom is 83 and she has been on blood thinner for a year and has high
> BP problem. She has difficulty breathing from time to time and is
> always tired. Her family doctor seems to think nothing can be done at
> this time to improve her condition and that its a matter of time.
> Naturally we are very worried. I would appreciate any advice that could
> help her to breathe easier. I suggested to give her oxygen through the
> nose but her doctor does not think its a good idea.

I suggest a second opinion from a cardiologist.

Humbly,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/
 
Dr. Chung:

Thank you very much for your response. I was quite distressed when I
last posted and I had quoted my mother's test from Dec last year. The
latest echo test was dated Oct 29 and the impression as follows:

*Normal LV size and function. LA measures normal in size, but visually
appears enlarged. Mild degenerative valvular changes.*

From my own interpretation of the test results I also got the impression
(hoping) that it wasnt really serious and the fact that she was
discharged with no further warning from hospital doctor gave us hope
that as long as her BP was under control she should be fine.

We were shocked and upset that her family doctor was so pessimistic in
the subsequent visit and hinted that my mother's days are numbered. The
doctor never said anything in this concern and suddenly it came to
this. She never referred my mother to a specialist until now, though my
mom has been seeing her regularly for almost 10 years.

Sorry for the rant but we don't know what else to do other than waiting
to see the specialist end of month. My mother still has shortness of
breath but her blood pressure seems fine. The family doctor did not
like the idea of giving my mom oxygen through the nose thinking that she
might depend on it too much. Thanks again for your help and time.



Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD wrote:
>
> vivian wrote:
>
> > My mother has been feeling really exhausted and shortness of breath in
> > the last few months and recently was hospitalized dur to fluid in
> > lungs. Her echo test indicates that:
> >
> > IMPRESSION:
> >
> > There is mild degenerative valvular disease. There is hemodynamically
> > mild aortic, mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. There is normal left
> > ventricular function. Antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis is
> > indicated.
> >
> > Could someone please explain to me in simpler language what all these
> > means?
>
> The echo report describes only mild abnormalities.
>
> > Is her condition serious?
>
> Clinically, yes. Based on the echo impressions, no.
>
> > Is this a congestive heart failure?
>
> Clinically what you describe sounds like congestive heart failure. Because
> the echo report reports normal left ventricular function (presumably
> systolic), the problem is likely diastolic dysfunction.
>
> >
> > My mom is 83 and she has been on blood thinner for a year and has high
> > BP problem. She has difficulty breathing from time to time and is
> > always tired. Her family doctor seems to think nothing can be done at
> > this time to improve her condition and that its a matter of time.
> > Naturally we are very worried. I would appreciate any advice that could
> > help her to breathe easier. I suggested to give her oxygen through the
> > nose but her doctor does not think its a good idea.
>
> I suggest a second opinion from a cardiologist.
>
> Humbly,
>
> Andrew
>
> --
> Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
> Board-Certified Cardiologist
> http://www.heartmdphd.com/
 
Hi : My mother was not given anything in hospital other than preparing
her for a test. She bascially drained the fluid on her own. She is
older so I think a surgery to repair her valves might be riskier. We
are now hoping to get oxygen supply for her and hope it would help her.
Good to hear you are doing great after the repair surgery. Have you
been suffering long before surgery I would like to hear your experience.

Rgds, V

[email protected] wrote:
>
> On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:47:20 GMT, vivian <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >My mother has been feeling really exhausted and shortness of breath in
> >the last few months and recently was hospitalized dur to fluid in
> >lungs. Her echo test indicates that:
> >
> >IMPRESSION:
> >
> >There is mild degenerative valvular disease. There is hemodynamically
> >mild aortic, mitral and tricuspid insufficiency. There is normal left
> >ventricular function. Antibiotic prophylaxis against endocarditis is
> >indicated.
> >
> >Could someone please explain to me in simpler language what all these
> >means? Is her condition serious? Is this a congestive heart failure?
> >My mom is 83 and she has been on blood thinner for a year and has high
> >BP problem. She has difficulty breathing from time to time and is
> >always tired. Her family doctor seems to think nothing can be done at
> >this time to improve her condition and that its a matter of time.
> >Naturally we are very worried. I would appreciate any advice that could
> >help her to breathe easier. I suggested to give her oxygen through the
>
> You did not mention diuretics. I always thought that they were given
> when there was fluid on the lungs but perhaps there is a
> contraindication because of her BP and her age. Perhaps the valves
> are not bad enough for replacement to be considered and it would be
> traumatic surgery at her age. I had three damaged valves but the
> mitral has been replaced and I am a lot younger than your Mum. I
> should have thought there was something to give her to help her
> breathing. It is so distressing and I hope that something can be done.
> Diana
> >nose but her doctor does not think its a good idea.
 
vivian <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Dr. Chung:
>
> Thank you very much for your response. I was quite distressed when I
> last posted and I had quoted my mother's test from Dec last year. The
> latest echo test was dated Oct 29 and the impression as follows:
>
> *Normal LV size and function. LA measures normal in size, but visually
> appears enlarged. Mild degenerative valvular changes.*
>
> From my own interpretation of the test results I also got the impression
> (hoping) that it wasnt really serious and the fact that she was
> discharged with no further warning from hospital doctor gave us hope
> that as long as her BP was under control she should be fine.
>
> We were shocked and upset that her family doctor was so pessimistic in
> the subsequent visit and hinted that my mother's days are numbered. The
> doctor never said anything in this concern and suddenly it came to
> this. She never referred my mother to a specialist until now, though my
> mom has been seeing her regularly for almost 10 years.
>
> Sorry for the rant but we don't know what else to do other than waiting
> to see the specialist end of month. My mother still has shortness of
> breath but her blood pressure seems fine. The family doctor did not
> like the idea of giving my mom oxygen through the nose thinking that she
> might depend on it too much. Thanks again for your help and time.
>

You are very welcome.

Glad to hear that the referral has been made for your mom to see a cardiologist.

Things should work out fine. I am not sure why her family doctor was so pessimistic.

Humbly,

Andrew

--
Dr. Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist
http://www.heartmdphd.com/
 
Have you
>been suffering long before surgery I would like to hear your experience.
>
>Rgds, V
>
I have tried to send you an email but there is something wrong. Will
try again tomorrow. My story too long for group (and they have heard
much of it before). Diana
 
Thanks Diane I also sent you an email but couldnt reach you....anyway I
did a google and found a link that you referred in your earlier posts
regarding valve replacement. Very interesting - I tried to read more.

[email protected] wrote:
>
> Have you
> >been suffering long before surgery I would like to hear your experience.
> >
> >Rgds, V
> >
> I have tried to send you an email but there is something wrong. Will
> try again tomorrow. My story too long for group (and they have heard
> much of it before). Diana
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom Back