Mitral Regurgitation Echo Report Analysis: Understanding Your Results

Question
Hello,

I have a question about my last three echo tests. Do you know if these numbers are normal? Has the problem advanced at all? What category, going by the echo(s) would the mitral regurgitation be in, 1,2,3,4? Thank you for your help.


Ejection Fraction 65% same on all 3 tests.
Fractional Shortening 38% same on all 3 tests.

Echo 1 Date: 4/29/04 (No symptoms)

Mitral Valve Peak Velocity: 0.97 m/sec
Mitral Valve Gradient: 3.7
Mitral Valve E-F Slope: 87
Mitral Valve E-Point Septum: 4mm
Mitral Valve Septal wall thickness: 1.1
Mitral Valve Posterior thickness:.9
LVESD: 31mm
LVEDD: 48mm
Left Atrium: A-P Dimension 36mm
LA/AO Ratio: 14mm
Tricuspid Valve RVSP: 33.0 mmHg
Mitral Valve: Trace Prolapse
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Echo 2 Date: 4/15/05 (Problems starting, symptoms slight)
Left Atrial Size 3.8
Mitral Valve E-Point Septum: .7cm
Right Ventricular Size: 1.7cm
Mitral Valve Septal Wall Thickness: 1.1-1.4 cm
Mitral Valve Posterior Wall Thickness: 1.0-1.3cm
LVEDD: 3.9cm
LVESD: 3.1cm
Mitral Valve Peak Velocity: 1.1cm
Mitral Valve Regurgitation 1.9 m/s
Mitral Valve Gradient: 5.2cm
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Echo 3 Date: 9/7/05 (After I started having problems)
LA (systole) : 4.1cm
Right Ventricle (diastole) : 2.3cm
Left Ventricle (diastole): 4.7cm
Left Ventricle (systole): 2.9cm
IVss 1.1cm
Mitral Valve Peak Velocity: 3.39 m/sec
Mitral Valve P1/2t: 80ms
MS area: Planimetry Doppler: 2.76cm2
Tricuspid Valve RVSP: 37 mmHg
Redundant Mitral Valve
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I have the following symptoms:
Fatigue, short of breath while lying down and with exertion, ankles swelling, blue around lips after drinking any kind of fluid or exertion, chest pain. Hypertension, Atrial Tachycardia. Medicine: Toprol XL 100MG, Hydrochorothiazide 25MG.


Answer
Hi J,
Although I would defer to a cardiologist for the specifics, the Left Atrium appears to be getting larger meaning that it is working harder to overcome the mitral valve disease. I would say that the problem has progressed. You should discuss this with your cardiologist.