How can regional wall motion abnormality be managed?

Question

Hello doctor,

My dad had an echocardiogram, and his LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction), which used to be around 45 percent, has now dropped to the 30 to 35 percent range. He had an episode of VT (ventricular tachycardia) two years ago and got an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) implanted. I am attaching both his previous and latest reports. Could you explain what is going on?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed his reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). The echocardiogram of your father shows a wall motion abnormality. The heart is supplied by three arteries: the left anterior descending artery (LAD), the right coronary artery (RCA), and the left circumflex artery (LCX). Any obstruction in blood supply from these vessels can lead to reduced blood flow to a specific area of the heart supplied by that artery. When blood supply is compromised, the muscles in that region will not receive adequate nutrition and may begin to degenerate, a condition medically referred to as regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA).

A coronary angiogram should be performed to rule out coronary artery disease (blockages in the coronary arteries), which is the primary cause of RWMA and decreased ejection fraction. I recommend getting a coronary angiogram to assess for any blockages in the coronary arteries.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.