Pacemakers Support Group
A pacemaker (or artificial pacemaker) is a medical device which uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contacting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart. The primary purpose of a pacemaker is to maintain an adequate heart rate, either because the heart's native pacemaker is not fast enough, or there is a block in the heart's electrical...
Hi,
I had a major heart attack(and stent put in) 6 months ago. An echo(non-3D/non-contrast) was done 2 wks after the heart attack with an LVEF of 40. Another echo(non-3D/non-contrast) was done 2 months ago showing LVEF of 45. I thought it was great with the improvement shown.
Then I switched hospital and the new doctor ordered an MRI(with contrast) last month that showed an LVEF of only 27(!). It was a total shock to say the least. Then I just had another echo(3D with contrast) this week at the same hospitcal showing EF of 43.
The doctors feels the MRI is a more reliable measure and advising me to have an ICD installed based on the amount of scar tissue and low EF, even if ones takes the middle number of the MRI and most recent ecoh, (27+43)/2, I am at 35.
I am posting to see if any one here has seen this level of differences between MRIs and echos and your thoughts on my situation for an ICD.
Any input would be much appreciated.
John
Much appreciate your comments. Good to know MUGA is more accurate than MRI; I didn't find that bit of info when I googled.
Let me think about my options.
John