Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Hi Everyone: I recently had an echo done. This is the first echo I have had done with my present cardiologist. I always get a copy of any testing I have completed for my own files. I liked this report because it had all the specific measurements done during the doppler study. I find this kind of stuff fascinating. I thought you all would find this interesting specifically because of the results kind of illustrate what is going on in Afib.
The A peak (measurement of atrial contraction on doppler study) arises due to atrial contraction, forcing approximately 20-25% of stroke volume into the ventricle.
My measurment value on my doppler study was 46.44 and the normal range is 100-120 cm/sec. It is easy to identify that my atria is not contracting within nomral limit, to contribute to stroke volume due to Afib.
It was interesting to me to see because I have always read that in Afib, your cardiac output is reduced by as much as 25% but I never knew they could measure the velocity of blood that leaves the atria during the cardiac cycle.
My left atria is still normal size , it is a tiny bit larger than the study two years ago but still within normal limits (3.00 to 4.00cm). It was 3.2 and is now 3.4. I was happy to see that my atria is still normal sized since this is the first echo I have had since my Afib became persistent.
I have mitral valve prolapse (diagnosed 15 years ago) and the only change there was my result is now "mild to moderate regurgitation and previously had been classified as "mild regurgitation". I also have mild tricuspid regurgitation which is a common finding. My EF is 55% which is also within normal limits.
My cardio also feels I have developed tachy-brady syndrome and he said this is common in people with Afib. We are changing some of my medication around to see if we can better control the high rates without taking the low rates, too low :) He wants me to pick up a 24 hour Holter monitor next week to see how things are going with the medication changes and then I follow up with him toward the end of the month.
I hope all is well with everyone and I appreciate having a place of support to chat about these kinds of things :)
Take care,
Carrie
The A peak (measurement of atrial contraction on doppler study) arises due to atrial contraction, forcing approximately 20-25% of stroke volume into the ventricle.
My measurment value on my doppler study was 46.44 and the normal range is 100-120 cm/sec. It is easy to identify that my atria is not contracting within nomral limit, to contribute to stroke volume due to Afib.
It was interesting to me to see because I have always read that in Afib, your cardiac output is reduced by as much as 25% but I never knew they could measure the velocity of blood that leaves the atria during the cardiac cycle.
My left atria is still normal size , it is a tiny bit larger than the study two years ago but still within normal limits (3.00 to 4.00cm). It was 3.2 and is now 3.4. I was happy to see that my atria is still normal sized since this is the first echo I have had since my Afib became persistent.
I have mitral valve prolapse (diagnosed 15 years ago) and the only change there was my result is now "mild to moderate regurgitation and previously had been classified as "mild regurgitation". I also have mild tricuspid regurgitation which is a common finding. My EF is 55% which is also within normal limits.
My cardio also feels I have developed tachy-brady syndrome and he said this is common in people with Afib. We are changing some of my medication around to see if we can better control the high rates without taking the low rates, too low :) He wants me to pick up a 24 hour Holter monitor next week to see how things are going with the medication changes and then I follow up with him toward the end of the month.
I hope all is well with everyone and I appreciate having a place of support to chat about these kinds of things :)
Take care,
Carrie
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
Hi Cheryl: You're welcome :) Good luck with your results. I hope all looks great :)
I hope youre doing well!
atp