Archives

I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome? I have tried remedies the doctors have prescribed, including IV fluids, medicine and exercise. Can you recommend any other treatment?

Dear Hannah: This condition is often difficult to treat. Fortunately, the vast majority of patients go into remission. It sounds...

Can a contrast dye other than iodine be used in a heart cath?

All contain Iodine to some extent. If there is an allergy, it can be pretreated successfully in almost all cases.

Is it possible that my symptoms could indicate a problem even though the echo showed normal function?

Outflow tract tachycardia is usually benign and is not associated with any structural heart disease. The PVC or VT typically...

I have been short of breath walking from one room to another.  My echocardiogram showed worsening of my aortic regurgitation, going from mild to moderate-severe over the last year.  LVEF is 60 – 65%.  Mild LVH.  AV is sclerotic.  I am worried.  What are your recommendations?

The heart can tolerate moderate or severe aortic regurgitation without any symptoms of heart failure when the amount of leakage...

What is a borderline EKG?

“Borderline” generally means that findings on a given test are in a range that, while not precisely normal, are not...

Is there a relationship between untreated sleep apnea and right axis deviation on EKG?

The short answer is probably not. It would depend on the severity and duration of the sleep apnea and whether...

I am confused – did both of my echoes measure the same thing?

It is understandable that this type of discrepancy in the echo reports could cause concern or mistrust. There are many...

What is a prominent cardiac silhouette and what is CTR?

The cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) is a chest x-ray measurement (in a properly perform PA chest x-ray). It is defined as...

What does “Diaphragmatic attenuation artifact corrected with prone imaging is present” mean on a nuclear stress test report?

The diaphragm (sheet of muscle that separates the heart and the tummy structures) can sometimes obscure the bottom part of...

Would a stent stabilize my carotid dissection?

The treatment for the carotid dissection depends upon: 1. Location, intracranial or extracranial 2. Diameter of the vessel 3. Documented...

Does anyone anywhere perform transradial cardiac ablations for atrial flutter?

Your question requires some explanations before I provide the answer. One set of blood vessels carry red oxygenated blood from...

Should my daughter see a conduction specialist for her near fainting?

Hello. I do believe you should have your daughter evaluated by a heart rhythm specialist (electrophysiologist). Her symptoms may well...