[mnm1207]

Question: my ejection fraction 2 yrs ago was62%. Now it is 50%. Is that too big of a drop? Is that something I should be concerned about?

[Jeff]

Hi Maria -

I can tell you that my cardiologist didn't order a follow up echo this winter based on her belief that ejection fraction doesn't change much over the span of two years. From some of the reading I've done I know it's possible for measured ejection fraction to vary from day to day (meaning the technology may be flawed), it can vary from tech to tech, and it can vary based on the technology used to measure it (cardiac MRI vs echocardiogram). All that being said, it does seem like a bigger drop than can be accounted for by differences in technology and personnel.

It might be worth mentioning to your doctor.

How've you been feeling lately?

[mnm1207]

one echo was done in ny(by my mom) and the other in sc... So maybe that's why. Still feeling pretty bad. Have a cough that is driving me crazy and had some sinus tach last night. nails still as purple as ever. No fun... Trying to figure every out.

[Jeff]

Your mom did the echo, or the echo was done near your mother's house?

[mnm1207]

LOL. My mom is an echo tech in ny. She did my echo 2 yrs ago... In a hospital. so I know that she took extra pics and did it right. That is when it was 62%. In sc is when it was measured at 50%. Which I think is low for someone my age.

[Jeff]

Ok. Yeah, it still seems like that's too big a variance to pin on different techs and different machines. Probably worth mentioning to the Dr.

[Susie]

I would mention it to your doctor, it may be nothing, but, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It sort of seems like a rather significant drop to me.

[mnm1207]

I emailed the cardio at duke and he said that my EF was 65% during my cardiac MRI. He does not know why in sc the echo said 50% because that is way off. Are MRI's more accurate than echos?

[Jeff]

Well, the detail is much higher, meaning that making an accurate measurement is probably a lot easier. And who knows - maybe you had an echo tech two weeks out of training and didn't get a good pic during systole/contraction.

[tickertock]

Try not to worry, my EF went from 75% in 2001 to 55% in 2005, in fact the cardio seems more pleased when it was 55% than 75% , remember EF can vary , some docs look at the same echo and cal itl 50%, another may call it 55%, another 60%, that why its is often referred as + - /5%, I wouldn't worry about this but mention it to your doc or get rechecked, some centers call 55-70% normal, others 50-75%, 50 % would be considered low normal, unless you have other symptoms, don't lose sleep over this , mean symptoms , swelling of lower extremities, or shortness of breath on little exertion and extrme fatigue.