ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

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Jack&KatiesMommy
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Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:08 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby Jack&KatiesMommy » Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:07 am

Hello Everyone:

I am not on this site a lot but I try to share what little knowledge that I have and what experiences I have gained through my own hjourney whenever I have a unique perspective. I continue to plod through treatment of various sorts in an attempt to keep this cancer at bay. It has been a 6+-year fight for me involing many surgeries, procedures, and chemotherapy treatments.

I have run into something that i am not familiar with and I am hoping/wondering if anyone here has any personal insight or experience (I understand that you are not doctors and connot provide medical advice) but can anyone help me interpret an abnormal ECG report from June?

The ECG was done after my most recent surgery whereby 1/2 of my left lung was removed in order to resect some cancerous lymph nodes in the area. It has been 4 month since that surgery and the pulmonary surgeons say my lungs are in great shape and that my oxygen level is at 99% and that they should not be the cause of any shortness of breath.


However, since my surgery on May 31, I have had pretty severe shortness of breath. I am a reasonably fit 53 year old woman who could go up and down 4-5 flights of stairs without a major issue prior to the surgery. Now, just going up one flight causes me to have to stop to catch my breath. Even walking fast for a distance has me gasping for breath.


No one even mentioned the abnormal ECG while I was in the hospital recovering from lung surgery but now I am wondering if my heart may be the cause of this shortness of breath. Can anyone help me understand this ECG report?


Resting ECG - 12 Lead
NORMAL SINUS RHYTHM
POSSIBLE LEFT ATRIAL ENLARGEMENT
ST ELEVATION CONSIDER INFERIOR INJURY OR ACUTE INFARCT

Consider right ventricular involvement in acute inferior infarct

ABNORMAL ECG
WHEN COMPARED WITHECG OF 19-MAY-2017 13:38,
ST ELEVATION NOW PRESENT IN INFERIOR LEADS
ST NOW DEPRESSED IN LATERAL LEADS

Confirmed by xxxxxxxxxx on 6/3/2017 2:23:27 PM

Ventricular Rate 81
P-R Interval 164
QRS Duration 74
Q-T Interval 352
QTC Calculation(Bezet)408
P Axis 70
R Axis 30
T Axis 91

Thank you!

Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,

KimT
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Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby KimT » Tue Oct 17, 2017 12:43 pm

I was a cardiac nurse for many years. You need to see a cardiologist asap. The report indicates a possible heart attack. Coupled with the the shortness of breath you are experiencing, you need to see a cardiologist. Whoever ordered that ecg stood have gotten a cardiologist on board immediately. Especially as the report indicates there were changes from a previous ecg done 2 weeks prior. Did you see a cardiologist while you were recovering?
2/10 dx colon cancer
right hemicolectomy 3/19/10
Stage 2a 0/43 nodes
Lynch syndrome
3/14/10 colon resection/ removal of metal clips
Nov 11 dx ovarian cancer

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waw4
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Location: Durham, NC

Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby waw4 » Tue Oct 17, 2017 12:52 pm

Cynthia,
My daughter who is an RN concurs. Her comments were:

"Well, it sounds like she's had some sort of cardiac muscle damage with the ST elevation, and shortness of breath isn't uncommon with valve damage or stenosis. I can't believe someone wouldn't mention the EKG to her. She really should follow up with a cardiologist."

-Bill
Bill's Colonoscopy 6/29/10; Dx Stage I or II
Surgery 7/15/10; Dx Stage III,15/32 lymph nodes
FOLFOX4 start 9/14/10; end 1/20/11 (9 tx)
2021 dx MSH6 Lynch Syndrome positive
(as are my brother, sister & son, but not daughter)
Grateful for 2nd Chance NED time!

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Maia
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Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby Maia » Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:23 pm

Chiming in to say go and see a cardiologist, Cynthia.
KimT wrote: Whoever ordered that ecg study have gotten a cardiologist on board immediately.
Yes.

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Jack&KatiesMommy
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Location: Columbus, OH

Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby Jack&KatiesMommy » Tue Oct 17, 2017 1:38 pm

Thank you all sweet friends! No cardiologist ever saw me....and no one ever mentioned the results of this ecg. I just found it in my records this week. I remember them ordering an ekg after I complained of shortness of breath while walking and I remember the ecg....but no one ever talked to me about it and I never saw a cardiologist. I was released to go home a day later.

Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,

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CRguy
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Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby CRguy » Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:51 pm

NOT to be an alarmist here my friend ... BUTT ... YES
you need to get some docs on board and a cardio is one, BUTT pending that visit I would also consider a
follow up with a pulmonologist, usually an Internal Medicine specialist designation.

Here's why :
Yes the lung surgeons are happy with how your lungs look and 99% Oxy saturation is great .. BUTT
with half the left lobe gone your actual vital capacity is now about 75% of pre-op ...
SO when you exert, even though your lungs are saturating the blood to 99% they may still not be able to deliver the dynamic vital capacity required for THAT activity.

Do you need a cardiologist on board = YES ( consider other ECGs/ stress tests / echocardiograms )
Would you benefit from a respiratory specialist as well ? =>>>>> IMO = YES

AND yes ... I have BTDT with all the above :shock:

and please recall my advice from many years ago :

Don't take surgical advice from a radiologist,
radiology advice from an oncologist, or
oncology advice from a surgeon ! :twisted:

Same thing here my friend. EVERY specialty has their own filters and blinders on when it comes to dealing with "their specialty"

It is up to US to be proactive and make sure we have LOTSA specialties involved, especially when one seems to have dropped the ball.

YOUR life YOUR choice
I choose more information from more specialists ! :mrgreen:

Cheers and best wishes
Get to the bottom of this and let us know how you are doing !

Cheers
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

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Jack&KatiesMommy
Posts: 640
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:08 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby Jack&KatiesMommy » Wed Oct 18, 2017 11:44 am

Thank you CRGuy.....I hadn't thought of going back and trying to get a pumologist on baord. That may make sense. I just assumed since I was seeing the pumonary surgeon's team that aspect would be covered. I have made an appointment for a follow-up ECG and will get a pumologist appointment....

Thank you!!!!
Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,

mariane
Posts: 704
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 6:16 pm

Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby mariane » Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:21 pm

Cynthia, ECG needs to be done. Others recommended also cardiologist who should schedule a stress test and echocardiogram. Stress test shows the changes in ECG during stress, possible ischaemic changes in ECG. Echocardiogram is important as well.
All the best for you! Thank you for your support for me when I joined 2 years ago.
mom of now 14 years old twins, dx @ 40 in 6/2015 with upper rectal cancer, 10+ liver mets, CEA 140
chemo: 8/2015 - 10/2016 - 4xFOLFIRINOX, 2xFOLFOX, 8xFOLFIRI, 10x5FU, HAI pump -12xFUDR
4 surgeries, complete pathological response
CEA<2 since 10/2015
NED since May 2016

I praise God for every day with my family!

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Jack&KatiesMommy
Posts: 640
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 1:08 pm
Location: Columbus, OH

Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby Jack&KatiesMommy » Fri Oct 20, 2017 1:57 pm

mariane:
I am so happy that you are doing well. I watch for your posts and I am thrilled for you and your boys. :) Thank you for the advice. I did take it to heart. I am scheduled to see a cardiologist on Tuesday to see what if anythign may be wrong with my heart. Gosh, I relaly don't evenm want to know that I have another major medical issue to deal with. But that is what we do. So good to hear from you!
Cynthia
Cynthia
Mommy to Jack (8) now (18) and Katie (4) now (14)
(My Most Precious Things)
Dx 8/11 Stage IV CRC (liver mets) CEA 2,600+
9/11 Folfiri 2/12: Failed Liver Resection
5/12 HAI pump/removed primary
4/13 Liver Resection
8/13-12/15 (10) RFAs lungs
5/17: Upper Left Lobe of lung resected.
02/18: 3 new lymph mets lung
05/18: Keytruda (MSS w/Intermediate TMB): NED CEA: 66.4, 39.2, 23.8, 13, 3.5 1.8, 1.0, 2.8 3.9, 5.0, 5.6, 1.5, .8,

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dianetavegia
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Facebook Username: Diane Weldy Tavegia
Location: Villa Rica, Georgia

Re: ECG Report...Can Anyone Help me Understand It?

Postby dianetavegia » Fri Oct 20, 2017 5:25 pm

As an aside...........
Scar tissue can attach from the lung to other organs. When I take a deep breath, I can 'feel' the attachment on the right side where they moved my lung to resect my liver.

My husband got a CT scan back when he was leaving the pulmonologists office this week and it showed he has a large aneurysm on top of his heart. No one ever mentioned it nor did Emory mail us any info about this. I am beyond angry!
Stage III cc surgery 1/7/09. 12 tx FOLFOX
Stage IV PET = 1.5cm liver met. HR 4/11/12

14 years since dx and 11 years post liver resection.
Pronounced CURED and discharged by onc

“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.” Psalms 30:2


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