Question

You obtain the following studies: An ECHOCARDIOGRAM shows a thin LV wall, an enlarged LV, and severe hypokinesis of the septum and lateral wall of the LV. The visually estimated EF is 35%. There is mild mitral regurgitation and no other significant valvular abnormalities. There is a small, hemodynamically insignificant pericardial effusion. There is enlargement of the RV as well. There is no evidence of intracardiac shunting. A cardiac catheterization shows complete occlusion of the proximal Left Anterior Descending coronary artery. There is diffuse disease in the Circumflex Coronary Artery. The Left Main coronary artery has a 20% stenosis. There is diffuse, mild disease in the Right Coronary Artery. There is no intraventricluar thrombus identified on either study. EF measured on the LV-gram is 30%. Using the medical terms that you have learned this week please explain the study results to your patient in layman’s terms.

Answer 1

Heart is a kind of a machine that supplies blood to the body. Due to some conditions like high blood pressure or some abnormalities there can be a blockage to arteries which supply blood to the heart . In your case, there is a complete blockage of an artery which has the prime function to supply blood to the heart as a result the heart is not getting sufficient blood and oxygen. The heart muscles struggles harder to pump blood in and out as a result the chambers of the heart becomes enlarged in the process of excessive pumping. Due to excessive pumping contraction of heart has also decreased to 35% which means less amount of blood is being pumped by the heart as the normal should be more than 55%. So the heart is failing to function normally.