I always see specialist report after they have seen the echo and what they feel is the next step to take. I see the echo numbers taken from the test itself as they are sent to me after being read by the radiology specialist that does this type of testing. The echo testing numbers don't mean anything to me until I speak directly with the cardiologist after they have done the review.
July 20
Requesting and reviewing your own echocardiogram results is a great habit β and noticing something like a missing LVOT (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract) diameter is a sharp catch! That measurement is indeed critical for TAVR planning and follow-up.
After a TAVR procedure, a cardiologist will typically want to see the Show Full Answer
Requesting and reviewing your own echocardiogram results is a great habit β and noticing something like a missing LVOT (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract) diameter is a sharp catch! That measurement is indeed critical for TAVR planning and follow-up.
After a TAVR procedure, a cardiologist will typically want to see the following key echocardiogram measurements:
- LVOT Diameter β essential for calculating valve sizing and blood flow
- Aortic Valve Area (AVA) β shows how open the valve is
- Mean and Peak Pressure Gradients β measures how hard the heart is working to push blood through the valve
- Ejection Fraction (EF) β shows how well the heart is pumping
- Doppler flow velocities β tracks the speed and direction of blood through the heart
- Left Ventricular Wall Thickness β checks for any thickening or strain
- Signs of paravalvular leak β checks for any leakage around the new valve It's absolutely worth raising the missing LVOT measurement directly with the cardiologist. Follow-up echocardiograms are typically scheduled at one month, three months, and annually after TAVR, so ensuring complete readings at each visit is important for monitoring how well the new valve is working.
Don't hesitate to ask the care team for a full report β it's every patient's right to have complete records.
July 18