Cardiac MRI results

[Peachy39]

Hi can anyone tell me what preserved function is. I had heart MRI and these are the results. It showed structurally normal heart, no evidence of structural cardiomyopathy, preserved function, no evidence of scarring of fibrosis or reduced blood flow. This is the exact wording on results letter. Thanks

[TheBesty]

Does preserved function mean Preserved Ejection Fracture? If so, look that up, type of heart failure i think.

[Peachy39 in reply to TheBesty]

I don’t know but I’m sure if I was in heart failure my cardiologist would have told me

[Pjjmhaa in reply to Peachy39]

It sounds good results you have but ask your cardiologist as they are the only ones who know ! As for heart failure I have cardiomyopathy I now have a pacemaker and defibrillator and no one told me I was in heart failure! I had to ask the question and they said some people don’t want to know so they wait for us to ask the questions! As I say I am not a doctor so please ask your doctor all you want to know! I think good results as I say! 👍🏻

[Peachy39 in reply to Pjjmhaa]

Thank you

[Sue6666 in reply to Pjjmhaa]

I wasn't told until my letter arrived post anhiogram..the consultant didn't actually mention it at all

[FraserB]

Preserved function means your heart is functioning normally, indicating that it has a healthy ability to pump blood. This is often assessed by the ejection fraction, which measures how much blood the heart pumps with each beat. The results your reading are indicating a normal ejection fraction, which as it says with no evidence of structural issues, scarring, or reduced blood flow. Preserved function is used to describe a situation where an organ (in this case your heart) is with normal functioning capabilities.

And specifically in your MRI results, it signifies that your heart is functioning well without any significant abnormalities which is an good report to read! Hopefully your doctor will read you back your results in more detail with any further questions you may have because there are still many different aspects to the heart that influence it as well. But based on that description it sounds good.

Just to clarify... heart failure typically involves a reduction in the heart's ability to pump blood effectively, so the findings in your MRI are reassuring in that regard.

[Peachy39 in reply to FraserB]

Thank you so much for this. It’s so confusing all this when I try to get the information online.

[fishonabike in reply to FraserB]

actually, although heart failure usually leads to a reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF) there is also Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

[Peachy39 in reply to fishonabike]

Thank you

[TheBesty in reply to fishonabike]

Yeah, Diastolic failure: The left chamber fails to relax normally because the muscle has become stiffer and filling is impaired <--Diastolic is preserved EF but similar symptoms to the more common HFrEF (which is Systolic failure - Reduced Ejection Fraction)

[fishonabike in reply to TheBesty]

it is also now being connected with Microvascular Dysfunction: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

[Silvertail in reply to fishonabike]

My husband has this. His EF is 55%. They also call it diastolic heart failure/dysfunction.

[TrexArms88]

Below is a read out from an AI platform using the exact wording provided. It seems like good news, but as ever get confirmation from your GP etc.

'The description you provided refers to a healthy heart based on medical imaging or diagnostic tests. Here's a breakdown of the key terms:

Structurally normal heart: The heart has no physical abnormalities in its shape, size, or anatomical features.

No evidence of structural cardiomyopathy: Cardiomyopathy, which refers to diseases of the heart muscle, is not present. The heart muscle is functioning normally.

Preserved function: The heart’s ability to pump blood (its ejection fraction) is within the normal range, indicating good cardiac function.

No evidence of scarring or fibrosis: There is no sign of damage to the heart tissue, such as from a past heart attack, infection, or injury.

No evidence of reduced blood flow: Blood flow through the coronary arteries and to the heart muscle is adequate, with no signs of ischemia (lack of oxygen).

This overall summary suggests a healthy heart without signs of disease or damage.'

[Peachy39 in reply to TrexArms88]

Thank you

[Kulakman]

I agree that it is confusing! If you access the Pumping Marvellous website (or via BHF) they have a useful booklet that describes Preserved Ejection Fraction in very straightforward terms. I have PEF at 55% and found this helpful.

[Peachy39 in reply to Kulakman]

Thank you

[dg2024]

I won't repeat what has already been written below. But do feel free to ask chat gpt for things. It has a good way of explaining medical terms and reports.

[Peachy39 in reply to dg2024]

Thank you

[Bahamasgirl]

What I would say is congratulations you are healthy; your heart is sound and you don’t need to worry. Enjoy your life, eat healthily, laugh a lot and all will be well. Best wishes.

[Friendliarthur]

With respect, some of the info in the replies is not quite correct.

Ejection Fraction refers to the % of blood in your left ventricle that is expelled each heartbeat. A normal heart expels roughly 80% OF ITS CONTENTS.

With some forms of Heart Failure the ejection rate is reduced. Usually if less than 50% is expelled it is referred to as Heart Failure(reduced) Ejection Fraction. (HFrEF).

HOWEVER ……… Some patients have other reasons for HF such that their left ventricle does not properly fill in the first place (eg diastolic dysfunction). Their left ventricle only actually fills to say to 70%, and an EF of 60% might apply for that person (which is not considered reduced because it’s not less than 50%). That person expels 60%, BUT it’s only 60% of a non-fully-filled ventricle (60% of only 70% full = 42% )

In other words that person has HFpEF and HF. This understanding of HF and preserved EF is fairly recent.

In your case it sounds from the context that your EF is preserved and is not a problem, ie you expel greater than 50% OF A NORMALLY FILLING left ventricle.

But as others have said, it is best to discuss this further with your doc. Hopefully what I have written might help you frame your questions. Good luck.

[Kulakman in reply to Friendliarthur]

Great response here! I couldn't understand why I had a diagnosis of HFrEF when my EF was 55%. However my BNP blood test showed elevated levels. That blood test is being repeated (after 5 months) and if it still raised I will start on Dapagliflozin. It's confusing and I even had professionals questioning why I was being referred until the results of the ECHO were considered together with the BNP test.

[Deejay62]

Contact the BHF nurses they might be able to help with the reading of reports 0808 802 1234. Mon - Friday. I have dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. I was told I had heart failure first then I had an angiogram which told my I had dilated cardiomyopathy. Speak to the nurses if you can’t speak to a cardiologist straight away.

[fishonabike]

This is addressed to most of those who have responded to this so farI don't want to be a bringer of gloom but this report does not say that it shows the heart to be healthy

it reports that the investigation has shown nothing abnormal or that everything measured was within normal parameters

what it does not say is that there may be other causes for the symptoms which caused the person to seek medical advice, but that these have not been detected during this investigation

if Peachy is still experiencing worrisome symptoms it is not very reassuring to be told that they are healthy - this is similar to saying "it's all in your head"

some diagnoses are reached by excluding all other possibilities, normally starting with the most obvious and easiest to verify - no doctor requests an MRI unless they have good reason to do so

[FraserB in reply to fishonabike]

You're right about the MRI which was just one test used by the doctor to give the him/her one piece of information..... Hopefully your doctor will read you back your results in more detail with any further questions you may have because there are still many different aspects to the heart that influence it as well.

[Peachy39]

Update!!!

Got talking to the nurse in the cardiologists office and it’s all good. Nothing to worry about the mri showed good results. Thanks everyone for information.