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Do Silicon Breast Implants Cause Difficulty During ECHO Test?
Posted on
Sun, 6 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 6 Sep 2015
Answered on
Wed, 30 Sep 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello
I'm a 45 year old female and recovered from peripartum cardiomyopathy 20 years ago. My echos have been normal in the past but I recently established a new cardiologist due to my history and he requested an updated echo for his records. He suspected I may have Biscupid Aortic Valve and wants me to do a TTE to confirm. My question is, I have silicone breast implants with this echo, but did not have them for prior echos. Is it possible there was an obstructed view due to my implants?
I'm a 45 year old female and recovered from peripartum cardiomyopathy 20 years ago. My echos have been normal in the past but I recently established a new cardiologist due to my history and he requested an updated echo for his records. He suspected I may have Biscupid Aortic Valve and wants me to do a TTE to confirm. My question is, I have silicone breast implants with this echo, but did not have them for prior echos. Is it possible there was an obstructed view due to my implants?
Brief Answer:
TTE is the investigation of choice for confirming bicuspid aortic valve.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Breast implants can cause technical difficulties during ECHO.
There are certain modified techniques to overcome the problem but still performing ECHO is difficult in patients with breast implants.
Certainly,there is a problem in confirming bicuspid aortic valve by conventional ECHO.Problem becomes more difficult if patient is having calcified aortic valves.
Your cardiologist has rightly suggested for trans thoracic ECHO.This is the investigation of choice for confirming bicuspid aortic valve.It is very sensitive and specific test.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
TTE is the investigation of choice for confirming bicuspid aortic valve.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Breast implants can cause technical difficulties during ECHO.
There are certain modified techniques to overcome the problem but still performing ECHO is difficult in patients with breast implants.
Certainly,there is a problem in confirming bicuspid aortic valve by conventional ECHO.Problem becomes more difficult if patient is having calcified aortic valves.
Your cardiologist has rightly suggested for trans thoracic ECHO.This is the investigation of choice for confirming bicuspid aortic valve.It is very sensitive and specific test.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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