echo Vs cardiac MRI regards accuracy

[Fanfab1]

hi

I’ve always pondered why an echo in 2022 showed a EF of 55 to 60% (normal I think) and a cardiac / stress MRI showed EF of 74% in 2023 (also normal but have seen references that > than 74% means possible Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy but this was not a nhs /bhf reference).

The other main finding was on echo left ventricle concentric remodelling (looks normal size on outside but narrowing on inside - my understanding of this term though from research) which one cardiologist termed mild LVH. On MRI no reference / didn’t find same but repeatedly stated “small LV”.

So I rang a very helpful BHF nurse and they explained an MRI is more accurate due to the way it images the heart and how works and results are per a machine. An echo doesn’t see the heart in as much detail and there is the matter of the accuracy and expertise of the human being doing the echo. This is what I recall be8ng said so forgive if wrong.

has anyone else found this? surely these things should be consistent?

Just curious!

👍

[honeybubs]

Hi, my echo and mri showed different readings my cardiologist told me. He went with the one which was the worst to be on the safe side along with what was wrong with me and decided it was best to implant a pacemaker defibrillator device.

[Fanfab1 in reply to honeybubs]

Thanks, can see your cardiologist appears to use common sense (an underrated quality imo) as well as expertise and what is staring them in the face. Mine would opt for the 74% as although expert I’ve always had the feeling they always tested to prove the actual thing wrong with me is not the thing wrong with me till they ran out of options 😂. I guess nothing is fully objective in these things. I’m glad you had an outcome that will help you and your heart. ❤️

[fishonabike]

I have read, in reliable sources, that Echocardiogram measurements can vary by 5-10% according to:

1. technician's level of experience

2. the way technician takes measurements

3. the equipment type and how accurately it is calibrated

but MRI is more accurate as you were told

[Fanfab1 in reply to fishonabike]

Thanks that’s reassuring.

[Gandyk53]

with an EF of less than or equal to 20%….your numbers look really positive 🙂 and “normal” and long may this continue 🥳

I’m still struggling to get the results of my cardiac MRI to compare the EF with the echo - am sure I’m not alone but how it’s frustrating having waited over 5 weeks since the MRI

my echo was Nov 23, angioplasty in March 24 and MRI in June 24…

[Fanfab1 in reply to Gandyk53]

the waiting is the worst!

I have untreatable angina with confirmed diastolic pressure drop in my LAD which means blood flow issues hence angina but they can’t say how things will develop!

I hope too my EF stays the same - mri one or echo😊