Dr Fett...

[amyls]

What is the normal FS range?? And What is aortic valve sclerosis ???

Thank you!
amy

[JAMESFETT]

When defining echo crieria for diagnosis of PPCM, the requirement is FS less than 30 percent. The normal left ventricular FS is over 30 percent, probably more like over 33 to 35 perxcent, since an EF of 45 is approximately equal to 28 to 30 FS.

Aortic valve sclerosis is a thickening of the valve, which would be an abnormality that could be seen with both aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation.

[amyls]

My FS is 27% and my Ef is about 45%. would that be right?

Should I be concerned about the thickening of the valve...does it have anything to do with my PPCM??

As always...Thank-you!

amy

[JAMESFETT]

Yes those values would each agree with the other, and would be very compatible with PPCM. Your aortic sclerosis may or may not be important dependiing upon either any leakage (and how much) or any obstruction to outflow (and how much). If there is not much or any of either then it would not be of significance.

JD

[amyls]

I just read that it is a calcium build up, I have hyperparthyroidism, could that be the cause too ?? I belive it said it was mild. Is this something I should watch. I have my ECHO from 2 yrs ago and it didn't mention anything about it. But my new one does.

[JAMESFETT]

Abnormal calcium deposits may be seen with hyperparathyroidism, but I am not familiar with heart valve deposits from that. Yes, you should seek more explanations from your cardiologist. Otherwise, calcific aortitis is seen in some types of infection and in elderly people, that wouldn't apply to you

JD

[amyls]

HI again! I tried to find the post where you explained F.S. but could you try again? :)

Because I'm 6.5 yrs out and still here is there any room for improving? I know thats hard to answer, I'll take 45% anyday, it has dropped since last yr, and I'm just hoping it isn't a trend and more just a bump in the road!

Thanks again,
amy

[JAMESFETT]

I wonder why you have experienced some mild deterioration in EF? Is it related to valve function? Is there any other superimposed process? Is there any diastolic dysfunction on echo? The healing process in PPCM is certainly mysterious, meaning we do not yet know all the "whys and wherefores." Particularly if there is viral presence persisting since that could impact on everything, resulting in late deterioration and reflected by improvement if viral clearing, no matter how late. Nevertheless 45 % is very good and compatible with very long life.

Fractional shortening (FS) is an echo measure reflecting how much the left ventricle contracts with each beat, and is obtained by subtracting the end-systolic diameter from the end-diastolic diamter, that difference divided by the end-diastolic diameter and that result multiplied by 100, normal FS = over 30 %.

JD

[amyls]

Hi Dr. Fett.

I'm going over the ECHO report
There is mild systolic dysfuntion, mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, and mild dystolic dysfunction as well.

What does the LV mass(C)d mean?? it weight is in grams
LV mass C)dI
My inflow E and annular e' ratio is 5.

Thank you!
amy

[JAMESFETT]

Those are secondary features that need correlation with clinical findings, so I will leave it to your cardiologist to interpret those to you.

JD

[JAMESFETT]

Those are secondary features that need correlation with clinical findings, so I will leave it to your cardiologist to interpret those to you.

JD