What is EF? Muga? Echocardiogram?

[Joanne S]

An (EF) ejection fraction is the percentage of blood (javascript:void(0);) pumped out of a heart (javascript:void(0);) chamber during the contraction phase of each heartbeat (javascript:void(0);) (systole). The term typically refers to a measurement of the left ventricle (javascript:void(0);) (the lower left chamber of the heart), which pumps oxygen (javascript:void(0);)-rich blood out to the body through the aorta (javascript:void(0);). An ejection fraction can also be measured in the right ventricle (the lower right chamber), which pumps blood returning from the body to the lungs (javascript:void(0);) for oxygen. However, this measurement is nearly always referred to as a right ventricular ejection fraction.

Even in a healthy heart, some blood always remains within the heart chambers after each heartbeat. Therefore an ejection fraction is a percentage of the blood within the chamber that is pumped out with every heartbeat. Normally, the left ventricle pumps 55 to 75 percent of the blood within that chamber out to the body with each heartbeat.

An ejection fraction is most commonly measured during an echocardiogram (http://heart.health.ivillage.com/noninvasivecardiactest/echocardiogram.cfm). This painless and noninvasive (javascript:void(0);) test uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound (javascript:void(0);)) to get a picture of the four heart (javascript:void(0);) chambers and the four heart valves (javascript:void(0);). An ejection fraction can also be measured as part of other diagnostic testing, such as:

MUGA scan (http://heart.health.ivillage.com/radionuclideimaging/muga.cfm). A type of radionuclide imaging (http://heart.health.ivillage.com/radionuclideimaging/radionuclideimaging.cfm) test that provides clear pictures of blood flow through the heart’s chambers and blood vessels (javascript:void(0);).
Echocardiography (http://heart.health.ivillage.com/noninvasivecardiactest/echocardiogram.cfm). This test uses sound waves to visualize structures within the heart. It has the advantage of being noninvasive and relatively accessible.
For more information here is the link:
http://heart.health.ivillage.com/heartfailure/ejectionfraction2.cfm


I certainly found this informative for us on Herceptin. Best to all of you.

[Alice]

Hi Joanne
I hope the fevers get better. I am suprised that your onc would have ok'd tissue expanders and reconstruction if they were aware that you were going to have radiation. Reconstruction is doable after radiation but it is a different process. The information on the LVEF is useful to many. Are you going to continue Herceptin? I had to stop herciptin after a few months due to a significant drop in my LVEF. My onc was not sure it was of use to me after chemo had stopped and I have not seen any evidence that she was wrong to date.
Alice

[Joanne S]

Hi Alice, I still get fevers. The usually remain under 102. The night before yesterday, I felt a fever come on. I took my temp and it was 101.6. I take Motrin like it's candy. I fell asleep and luckily when I woke up in the morning the fever was gone. Still no one knows why I have these fevers of unknown origin. Perhaps it is a side effect of the Herceptin or else there is some persistent infection somewhere. My reconstruction surgeon said she always likes to have the expanders in and fully expanded before the radiation. She advised she will not expand me after radiation, due to the contracting and impacts on tissue caused by the radiation. I had my echocardiogram yesterday to check my ejection fraction. If it is within normal limits I will be able to get my Herceptin in about 10 days. If it is not, I will have to put Herceptin on hold again. It happened once before and I ended up missing one treatment. I noticed that many women receive Herceptin treatment for one year. Some women I know that are Stage IV have been on Herceptin for years. My Herceptin treatment was started after AC, with Taxol in December 06. I had four dose dense treatments of Taxol over 8 weeks along with the Herceptin and have been on Herceptin once every three weeks since then. I also take tamoxifen daily. I take Motrin daily for breast pain. Thanks for asking. Best to you.