HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - LVEF false Readings & Protecting your heart New Info

Sheila · 07-10-2012, 12:13 PM

After seeing the cardiologist today in Chicago, I found out that most cardiologists do not rely on LVEF readings from Muga Scans, and prefer a trans thoracic echocardiogram for accuracy. Seems the Muga requirement was a past Practice from ECOG.. And results show that the echo is more accurate depending on the uptake of the tagging isotopes used in the Muga. This explains my Muga (with poor outlines of the heart visualized) being a 19 score whereas my trans thoracic echo with contrast injected showed a LVEF of 40-45%...substantial difference.

Also, cardiologists have found that prescribing Coreg(carvedilol) a beta blocker, BEFORE and during the administration of cardio toxic drugs such as Herceptin, Pertuzamab, Anthracyclines etc, can protect the heart from ever being damaged from these drugs. They are attempting to spread the word to oncologists to initiate this regimen on patients who will be at risk.

07-10-2012, 12:13 PM	#1
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	LVEF false Readings & Protecting your heart New Info After seeing the cardiologist today in Chicago, I found out that most cardiologists do not rely on LVEF readings from Muga Scans, and prefer a trans thoracic echocardiogram for accuracy. Seems the Muga requirement was a past Practice from ECOG.. And results show that the echo is more accurate depending on the uptake of the tagging isotopes used in the Muga. This explains my Muga (with poor outlines of the heart visualized) being a 19 score whereas my trans thoracic echo with contrast injected showed a LVEF of 40-45%...substantial difference. Also, cardiologists have found that prescribing Coreg(carvedilol) a beta blocker, BEFORE and during the administration of cardio toxic drugs such as Herceptin, Pertuzamab, Anthracyclines etc, can protect the heart from ever being damaged from these drugs. They are attempting to spread the word to oncologists to initiate this regimen on patients who will be at risk. __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin