Help please - what do the results of my latest echo mean?

[Holly303]

Hi,

I had an echo yesterday & have a follow up at the end of next month with my cardio. For background I have/had atrial flutter which I had an ablation for last January. Currently taking apixaban & bisoprolol. Can anyone please explain the result below as i'm really worried about it.

Borderline dilatation of the left ventricle with volume index of 70.31ml/m². Global hypokinesia except the basal inferolateral wall that appears akinetic. Moderately reduced systolic function with a visually estimated EF of 40 - 45%. Elevated left ventricular filling pressure.

Severe functional tricuspid regurgitation with high probability of pulmonary hypertension. Estimated PASP of 46mmHg.

[Bluecat223]

Hi the BHF have a number you can call and speak to a cardiac nurse they can give you some advice the number is 08088021234 good luck x

[Holly303 in reply to Bluecat223]

Thank you

[PadThaiNoodles]

Hi Holly303,

Let's see if we can unpack some of that.

"Borderline dilatation of the left ventricle": the main chamber (left ventricle) that pumps blood to your body is ever-so-slightly larger than expected.

"Global hypokinesia except the basal inferolateral wall that appears akinetic": the left ventricle is contracting less than expected, and one segment isn't contracting at all. (The left ventricle is divided into 17 segments to describe where something is.)

"Moderately reduced systolic function with a visually estimated EF of 40 - 45%": your Ejection Fraction is below expected (normal would be something like 55% - 70%). EF is the percent of the blood that enters the left ventricle that is pumped back out to your body.

"Severe functional tricuspid regurgitation with high probability of pulmonary hypertension": the valve between your right atrium and right ventricle is not diseased, but it isn't closing properly causing blood to leak back to the right atrium when the heart beats. They didn't see anything else that would cause this, so they're suggesting it's probably due to high blood pressure in your lungs.

I have valve disease which damages the structure of my valves, so after years of severe regurgitation I had to have one surgically repaired and another replaced with a mechanical valve. However, your "functional" regurgitation means there is no change in the structure of the valve, so if they remove the cause then the valve will go back to closing properly.

[Holly303 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

thank you so much for your reply. That has really helped me understand what's going on a bit more

[Quovadisuk in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

you did very well there . …. Well done in helping Holly .

[PinkKizzie in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

PadThaiNoodles, re: your reply to Holly303, I found your info very interesting and very helpful. Hope you're keeping well.

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to PinkKizzie]

I am indeed. Finished my cardiac rehab just last week; feeling pretty much sorted.

[PinkKizzie in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

That's great to hear PTN. Keep as active as you are able, if you rest you rust !