Meaning of Echo results

[Teal61]

I had mitral valve replaced in November and tricuspid valve repaired and I have AF. Was all done urgently so I don't yet have a cardiologist .surgeon sent summary of my February Echo results.can anyone tell me meaning of them please?they are as follows

Normally functioning MVR with mild paravalvular leak and moderate LV function depression with ejection fraction of 39% mild RV dysfunction and competent tricuspid valve.

Thank you

[10gingercats]

Can I please ask you about your tricuspid repair.? I am in needs of clips to repair a severely leaking tricuspid valve but at 82 it is a risky op. even using minimal sugery and not open heart surgery. Was your surgery done using open heart surgery and are you an older person or younger thus redusing the overall risk ?

[Teal61 in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi. I am 63 and had the repair through open heart surgery while they replaced mitral valve. I wish you lots of luck with your repair,you can't be feeling great with a severely leaking valve .

[10gingercats in reply to Teal61]

So far all is well. I have had the leak for more than 10 years .I can walk 2/3 miles with no problems, no difficult with breathlessness or other issues. Nov. and Dec. and again in Feb. were nasty due to awful palps. and swollen legs,GP neglect, but once I got sorted by 2 docs. at local hospital I began to feel normal. My son helped to 'force their hand' and helped me get the diagnosis/ meds. I needed . In spite of lockdown I insisted on his presence at appoints. as my brain was also in lockdown due to Furosimide 'poisoning.'Thanks for your swift reply .

[Teal61 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks fir your swift reply too, im really glad you have your meds now. Keep Walking!

[IrisCarter]

Hi Teal,I am not a Dr and cannot give medical advice. However, as a former RN, I can explain in non medical terms what the summary means.

‘Normally functioning MVR’

The mitral valve repair is functioning within the range expected after a successful repair.

‘mild paravalvular leak’

There is some leaking around the valve, but not enough to cause problems.

‘moderate LV function depression with ejection fraction of 39%’ The left ventricle is not functioning as well it should and has less capacity to pump blood out of the heart than normal. For context a normal ejection fraction is between 50 and 70%. My ejection fraction was 35% before mitral valve repair, 32% after repair and after 6 months recovery is now 50%. Before the mitral valve problem it was 65%.

‘mild RV dysfunction’

The right ventricle is slightly less capable of pumping blood than normal, but it is not serious.

‘competent tricuspid valve’

The triscupid valve (between the right ventricle and the right atrium) does not show any leaks.

[Teal61 in reply to IrisCarter]

Thank you so much Iris. Youve explained it so clearly. I hope your recovery continues to go well.

[IrisCarter in reply to Teal61]

You’re welcome 😀