Consultants Report Needs Translating To Layman's Terms, Please

[hc4361]

If anyone can help as we don't know whether to be relieved or worry about the report from the heart surgeon following the echo cardiogram.

"Prinicpal Diagnosis: Moderate central MR during sinus rhythm
Good biventricular systolic function, bigeminous rhythm

Good biventricular systolic function in the presenence of ventricular bigeminy with an ejection fraction of 55%.
However, moderate central mitral regurgitation during sinus rhythm which becomes visually borderline severe after ventricular ectopics which we can expect because of increased force of contraction.
Left atrium severely dilated and rest of his valves do not show any significant regurgitation or stenosis.
You may wish to start him on certain medication including ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers if clinically indicated and he is able to tolerate. Consider formal referral to cardiology rapid assessment clinic for further assessment and management plan."

76 year old male with CPOD and ET.

Grateful thanks to anyone who can this understandable. :)

[ABSpareEditor]

I have moved this thread into the category "Body & Soul".

[Peter Pedant]

ruing you GP
Consider formal referral to cardiology rapid assessment clinic
ans say yes please
( rapid sssessment)

and no - you are not going to DIIIIIIEEE! in the next half hour

ejectioin fraction at 55% is good - mine is 35% AF so I wouldnt mnd his in exchange for mine

[Peter Pedant]

yeah I thought it was in Home and Garding because home is where the heart is .... bless

[hc4361]

Thanks, PP, but I'm not entirely convinced you are human :D

[Sqad]

Layman's terms:
Moderate Central MR....Mitral valve is leaking.....no big deal at the moment. Other valves fine. This is a common finding in the elderly and may or may not need further treatment but annual monitoring is essential. If the leakage becomes "significant" then valve replacement may be necessary.

"Left atrium severely dilated"
This is the key issue.....what is causing this?
It could be due to high BP or valve problems ( unlikely)
Other causes may be auricular fibrillation (fast heart) or heart failure.
I would assume that further investigations and a Cardiological opinion would be suggested to exclude or indeed define the causes of the enlarged left ventricle.

Not the best ECG report, but it could be worse.

[Sqad]

Sorry...I missed out ejection fraction of 55%.
This is fine PROVIDING that the valve regurgitation is moderate, but becomes a danger if the regurgitation becomes severe.
This is a matter of monitoring the situation.

[hc4361]

Thanks very much, Sqad. You may remember he was sent for the ECG because his pulse was 43 but it turned out that the second heartbeat came very quickly after the first but was too faint to be picked up by the doctor's equipment. This caused a long gap between 2nd a 3rd heartbeat causing a build up of pressure.
He will accept the offer of referral to the consultant.

Many thanks for your time and expertise once again.

[Peter Pedant]

o god can I be pickie and really poss people off ?

during sinus rhythm - - so it cant be AF
and
// Not the best ECG report, but it could be worse.//
sorry not ECG - - echo

I may not be human but I can read - - ter daaah

I still think you should go for the rapid cardiac assessment bit
If you act quickly they cd fit you in before Xmas - ter daah again

[Sqad]

PP.......the OP said "Layman's Terms."