Advice needed: MRI shows “normal... - British Heart Fou...

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Advice needed

Dlouise2000 profile image
11 Replies

MRI shows “normal cardiac function and no obvious abnormality” and shows that LV and RV are not dilated , LV systolic function normal but RV is preserved.

is preserved RV systolic function the same as heart failure ?

I am confused as google makes reference to heart failure but the results of the MRI show normal cardiac function.

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Dlouise2000 profile image
Dlouise2000
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11 Replies
Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

Your MRI results sound fine but maybe contact your consultant or BHF to get some help understanding the results? Google can be more confusing then helpful I know belive me! Hope you can get some answers. Was it routine MRI or was there something they was investigating??

Dlouise2000 profile image
Dlouise2000 in reply to Yumz199725

It was to check for cardiomyopathy, but with it saying the cardiac function is normal I hope it means that that wasn’t found… everything else was normal besides this one thing but it’s hard to not get bogged down with it, I agree google is probably the worst thing we can do . Thank you for your help!

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to Dlouise2000

Yeah definitely check what your results mean hopefully it didn't show cardiomyopathy hope you can find out soon I know what not understanding results is like! X

Smitty1956 profile image
Smitty1956

Hi, Dlouise2000,

I am finally seeing my cardiologist this Friday, November 3rd, to discuss the findings from my echocardiogram that I had in August. I have read my report, and some of my questions sound similar to what you just asked.

From what I read, I suspect heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF), but since I am not a cardiologist, I need to speak with my doctor to find out what the test really tells me.

I will try to let you know if I get a response that might somewhat answer your question.

Best wishes to you! ❤️

Dlouise2000 profile image
Dlouise2000 in reply to Smitty1956

Hello. This is the first thing I saw when I googled it too, just very confusing when the summary says there are no abnormalities and function is normal, along with normal looking EF figures. I think we can drive ourselves mad self diagnosing with Google, hope you get everything sorted it’s so horrible waiting for so long with so many questions !xx

Smitty1956 profile image
Smitty1956 in reply to Dlouise2000

Yes, I agree with you! I had my echocardiogram on the 17th of August, and the written report was ready for me to read that night. However, not being a cardiologist, I just spent several days worrying. Finally, since my appointment was so far out from the test, I just settled myself and waited.

I am starting to get some nervous again since my appointment is Friday.

My results say:

Normal left ventricular size.

Borderline normal geometry; borderline LVH.

LV systolic function is normal.

LV EF by visual assessment is estimated to be 55%.

Abnormal diastolic function; elevated filling pressure,

Normal RV size.

Normal RV systolic function.

No significant valvular heart disease.

Anyway, that isn’t everything from the report, but you get the idea. If I looked only at EF, then things would appear to be normal, but the LVH and the abnormal diastolic function worry me quite a bit, plus the elevated filling pressure.

So, I guess that we shall see what the doctor says. Like you, some things are reported as “normal”, but the abnormal parts worry me—-but my EF is apparently “preserved.”

I guess that wording made me relate to what you were asking in your post. Anyway, I hope to get some clarity on Friday. Of course, I’m still out on whether clarity in this situation is a good thing. Lol.

😊

Dlouise2000 profile image
Dlouise2000 in reply to Smitty1956

I think it is really hard to focus on the positives when there are one or two not so positives, especially when google can lead to so many incorrect things. I am a worrier in everyday life but these types of things are especially hard not to worry about . I agree it’s best to try and stay relaxed until you have the right info from the experts ( easier said than done :( ) I hope you get all the answers you need!xx

Fullofheart profile image
Fullofheart

I would read preserved RV as a good thing but if you are confused ring the bhf helpline. They are very good.

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike

Just to help you decode your report a bit: RV is Right Ventricle, which is the heart chamber which pumps blood back to your lungs

Systole is the contraction of the heart muscle as it pumps, so systolic action is the pumping action. Diastole is the phase when the muscle is relaxed between the contractions

So RV systolic function is the contraction of the right ventricle as is pumps the blood towards your lungs

others have referred to "preserved Ejection Fraction":

Ejection Fraction (EF) is a measure of how effectively you heart chambers are pumping, the chamber which pumps blood out to most of your body (and our brain) is the Left Ventricle, normal EF range for this is 50-70%

EF is usually reduced in cardiomyopathy (heart failure), but there is a type of cardiomyopathy where the left ventricle EF (LVEF) is not reduced and this is Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

It might help if you read up on basic heart function, try this for starters:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

Smitty1956 profile image
Smitty1956 in reply to fishonabike

Sounds like useful information! I will check it out. 👍😃

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Ask your consultant or GP for a translation or even phone the nurses on here. My discharge letter after heart attack could well have been written in Chinese. I got a translation from my GP.

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