Many modern day cardiologists consider doing echo , a mean job and leave it to technicians and fellows . Final report often ends up with a cursory glance. The culture of reporting an important aspect of LV function is reaching a new low. It is common to find the following terminologies in the echo reports in many parts of the country* (Guess it is not used elsewhere ! )
- LV function good
- LV function adequate
- Good bi-ventricular function
- LV function fair
Among these , the term adequate LV function has caught the imagination of young cardiologists ! Especially , this description often appear in pre- operative screening echo for non cardiac surgeries .
Recently ,one of my patient asked me what do we mean by adequate LV function . I told him it means nothing . . . it’s all fancy words ! but , generally it is used to imply normal LV function . . . I clarified .
Think over for few minutes . . . what do we want to convey by calling LV function as adequate ?
Does it mean normal ? or Just less than normal ?
If adequate LV function is accepted , what is inadequate ?
Adequate for whom ? For the patient ? or for the physician ?
Adequate for daily activity ? or Adequate to with-stand the proposed surgery ?
Final message
Even learned cardiologists indulge in this term frequently . This is rather a fancy and unprofessional way reporting LV function . They pass this style to their residents as well para medics .Adjectives in medical science are not banished . . . but should be judiciously used . In my opinion the term adequate LV function should be removed from all echo labs . Youngsters please watch out.
Related links in this site .
Dr.S.Venkatesan MD 
Leave a Reply