my LV is now globular shaped

[shellycrescent]

i'm now 8 weeks into a post ppcm pregnancy and trying my best to remember when i was reading my echo results but at the time they didnt make much sense to me so unfortunately i cant remember my ef's
i was discharged from the outpatients and dont have my regular echos anymore,
i am seing an obstetrician 2nd July but his secratary has informed me the hospital he's placed me at doesnt offer echos and she assumes i wont have any during my pregnancy, i intend to tell him i need 1 and beg him lol.

anyway i've just remembered on all of my reports since ppcm my LV has remained globular shaped, i remember my cardiologist was concerned in the beginning when i still had moderate damage but as time went by and i improved it wasnt mentioned again.

does anyone know if the shape makes any difference at all?

Michelle

[JAMESFETT]

The shape of the left ventricle is important, but it may not always reflect the LV EF. In PPCM, and in IDCM and in post-viral dilated cardiomyopathy, the dilated left ventricle assumes a globular or rounded shape, compared to the normal oblong shape that is a more efficient pump. With recovery of PPCM the shape improves, but may not always return to normal. If one defines "full recovery" as LV EF >50 % and contractile reserve of 10 to 20 points on exercise stress echocardiography there may still be some abnormal shape. I hope you will be able to obtain and follow your echo parameters during the pregnancy, since that is the best way to know before clinical symptoms if you are having any relapse, and permits early, effective treatment (beta-blockade and hydralazine/nitrates). Best wishes,

JD