Echo results
 

Has anyone ever heard of an echo result being 77% for the LVEF? Have been on Herceptin for 6-7 months and this was my latest result. My last one was 66% and that was 3 months ago. My onc. said he doesn't believe the number. I thought it didn't go past 70%, so I don't believe the number either. Don't get me wrong, I would be very happy with this, but I know I am not becoming the bionic woman. Has anyone else had a reading like this? My curiousity is getting the better of me.

Sincerely,

Liz J.

Since a cardiologist has to read an Echo, the test must be able to go up that high, otherwise your score would just be >than 70%. Regardless, it is at least the 66% its always been. So, good show. Your heart is working with you on this one.


Becky

Hi, I had a 70 at the last one. I remember someone, athletic, posting that they had a higher than 70 a few months ago. Congrats on getting good news. Even if the score is off, I'm sure not by much. BB

I thought it went up to 80... not sure though.

Karen

Muga
 

Hi
I had a gated blood pool scan last week and my LVEF was 63%; the same as it was 10 months ago before I started herceptin. While i was waiting around i asked the tech about the range of values; she said the highest values are usually in the 80's and are invariably were people of asian descent.
jackie

Congrats.
The tech told me they seldom get anyone above 70.
Are you exercising? Mine went down to 54 when I was on chemo in 1999 and has stayed there for the 4 1/2 years I've been on Herceptin. When I went for an echo last week the tech did it twice not believing the first reading of 66. It was the same the second time around - a big jump in 6 months which couldn't be explained by a 10% error margin. I will be really interested to get the next results in 6 months to see if I have maintained the upper level. I did increase my exercise program about 9 months ago and I am wondering whether this is having an effect.
Annlyn

I read somewhere that most people are in the mid 60% range, although athletic people are higher (Lance Armstrong is at 85%, but then he IS bionic!). Your reading may be accurate, and at any rate it's good even if it's less. Keep up the good work!

<3 Lolly

My Muga prior to chemo came back at 71%.
My 2nd Muga came back at 55%, so they did an echo to compare.
The echo came back at 58%. They told me that the average is 75% for someone in perfect health. My next echo came back at 60-65% range.
Seems that the Adriamyacin did more damage than the Herceptin is doing.

My MUGA prior to dose dense A/C was 55. Do you think it would be prudent to get another test? I finished chemo in March 05.

Your dr should order another test after your A/C regimen to compare it to your original score.
The reason I had an echo done after my Muga score of 55% was because of the big drop from 71% on my original score. The tech wrote in the report that the drop could possibly be from a technical malfunction.
Well, it turned out that the Muga was pretty accurate, because the echo score was 58%. My onc tests me every 3 months.
BUT......My onc did tell me that if my score went below 55%, she would not continue with Herceptin because Herceptin could bring the score down even lower.
I have seen other women post saying that their dr told them that if their score went below 50% they would take a break from Herceptin.
By the way, anything above 50% is considered normal.