Got echo results and all was positive except this:
6. Reduced RV systolic function. TAPSE is moderate to severely decreased 1.0 cm
I don’t know what that means…anyone?
I was in rapid afib during test.
Background: had open heart to replace bicuspid aortic valve, single CAB, Maze procedure for afib (which obviously didn’t work) and left atrial appendage occluded in early September - so, test was done approximately 3 months post op
Thanks in advance.
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Hi, I was too impatient to wait for replies on this site, so put the results you posted into my AI App (called ChatOn AI using GPT 4o mini apparently ) and the results are below. These apps can be wrong so please check yourself/ask a professional but it seems to make sense. Here is what i got back.
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The echocardiogram findings you've provided suggest a few important clinical implications regarding the patient's heart function:
1. **Reduced RV Systolic Function**: This indicates that the right ventricle (RV) is not pumping effectively. Reduced systolic function can result from various conditions, including right heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or ischemic heart disease. It can lead to inadequate blood flow to the lungs and systemic circulation.
2. **TAPSE (Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion)**: A TAPSE measurement of 1.0 cm is considered moderate to severely decreased. TAPSE is a useful echocardiographic parameter for assessing RV function. Normal values typically range from 2.0 cm to 2.3 cm. A reduced TAPSE indicates impaired RV systolic function and is associated with worse outcomes in conditions affecting the right heart.
### Clinical Implications:
- **Heart Failure**: The findings suggest some degree of heart failure, particularly involving the right side of the heart.
- **Potential Causes**: Possible causes for these findings should be investigated further, including pulmonary conditions (like COPD or pulmonary embolism), valvular heart disease, or congenital heart defects.
- **Management Considerations**: Depending on the underlying cause, management may include medications (such as diuretics, inotropes, or pulmonary vasodilators), lifestyle modifications, and close monitoring of cardiac function.
### Next Steps:
- Further diagnostic assessments (e.g., cardiac MRI, right heart catheterization) may be warranted to determine the underlying cause and guide treatment.
- Evaluation of symptoms (such as dyspnea, fatigue, or edema) and clinical context is essential for appropriate management.
It's crucial for the interpreting physician to correlate these findings with clinical symptoms and history for a comprehensive evaluation.
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I then asked for more details on TAPSE.
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TAPSE, or Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion, is a measurement used in echocardiograms to assess how well the right side of the heart is working. Here’s a simple breakdown:
1. **What It Measures**: TAPSE measures the movement of a specific part of the heart called the tricuspid valve during each heartbeat. It looks at how much this valve moves up and down as the heart pumps blood.
2. **Why It’s Important**: The right side of the heart is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen. If the right side isn’t working well, it can lead to problems like shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid buildup in the body.
3. **Normal vs. Abnormal**: A normal TAPSE measurement indicates that the right side of the heart is functioning well. A low TAPSE measurement means that the right side isn’t pumping effectively, which can be a sign of heart issues.
4. **How It’s Used**: Doctors use TAPSE measurements as part of an echocardiogram to help diagnose heart problems and determine the best treatment.
In summary, TAPSE is a way for doctors to see how well the right side of your heart is working by measuring how much a valve moves during a heartbeat. Lower numbers can indicate that the heart isn't pumping well, which might need further investigation
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Hope your treatment and recovery progresses well. Take care.
Thank you for your support, however, it is always best that all medical test results must be discussed with a medical professional.
Kind regards
TracyAdmin
Hi, I don’t get your point at all. I clearly point out the origin of the information. I am sure Jafib will process it suitably. I would be interested in quite why you feel your intervention was suitable. This forum seems to have open discussion.
Surely you can see the unethical nature of posting AI opinions on the Forum when we (and the AI) know nothing about the complicated individual medical history of Jafib , plus his ongoing AFib during the echo. Quoting such AI opinions on the Forum can do more harm than good.
It clearly mentions it is AI generated and, unlike you, I credit the original poster with the intelligence to process it suitably.
Maybe, but you might have missed the point. I was concerned with everyone on the Forum who will be reading these unreferenced AI "opinions", not just the OP who you mentioned.
And then again, I not sure how you will interpret the fact that the OP actually "liked" the reply of mine you refer to.🤔
I agree ozziebob about "unreferenced AI opnions". I have expressed the concern to HU Admin to no avail and AI posts are permitted.
It is not logical to permit AI unreferenced opinions without review by Admin, yet require referenced studies from sources like NIH, etc to require permission.
Jafib is an experienced patient and poster. Someone new to afib may find these AI posts very alarming.
I have also asked TracyAdmin in a PM for some Forum guidance re Members quoting "persuasive" unreferenced AI opinions, but the silence is very disappointing. Especially, as you say, when peer reviewed research articles require "permission" by the same admin staff. Doh! I have made that point to Admin as well.
Interesting about the Maze not having worked. Sorry to hear this.
Thanks. It was very disappointing. I had high hopes.
One gets the impression it's the ultimate "cure", but obvs not
Do you think the aortic stenosis and aortic valve replacement may have affected the maze procedure ? Did doctor address the possibility ?
We have talked before and I also have moderate AS is my reason for asking.
Best to You Jafib !
Thank you for our post, however, all medical results are always best to be explained by a medical professional, do you have a follow up appointment to discuss the results with your doctor?
Kind regards
TracyAdmin
When I had persistent atrial flutter my echo showed various problems, all of which normalised after my ablation, and have stayed normal five years later on a recent MRI scan.
Your doctor will report what this finding means, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it weren't caused by the AF and, like mine, to be reversible.
Steve
Thank you so much for that reply. I too have persistent a flutter, which is new for me since my open heart surgery and the Maze procedure. Where did you have your ablation done?
It was at Leicester's Glenfield hospital. I have read that atrial flutter often arises after any kind of heart surgery. Apparently, the atrium doesn't take kindly to being pushed and pulled about!
Given my own experiences, I feel pretty sure you will find all this is of no consequence once things controlled and settle down. When my atrial flutter was persistent, only digoxin proved to be effective and caused me no side effects.
Steve
In my case, an ECHO while in afib does not give an accurate presentation of LV function compared to when in NSR.
JimF
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Echocardiogram and AF
Echocardiogram results.
Echocardiogram results
What comes first? |Silent AFib
