Left ventricular ejection fraction

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Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Theleft ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a measurement, expressed as a percentage, of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. It is a key indicator of heart function and is used to diagnose and monitor heart failure and other cardiac conditions.

Physiology[edit | edit source]

The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. The left ventricle is the main pumping chamber of the heart, responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, the left ventricle contracts and ejects blood into the aorta. The ejection fraction is calculated by dividing the stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped out of the ventricle with each beat) by the end-diastolic volume (the total amount of blood in the ventricle before contraction) and multiplying by 100 to get a percentage.

Normal and Abnormal Values[edit | edit source]

A normal LVEF ranges from 55% to 70%. An LVEF below 55% may indicate heart dysfunction, while an LVEF below 40% is often associated with heart failure. An LVEF above 70% can also be abnormal, potentially indicating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or other conditions.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

LVEF is a critical parameter in the assessment of cardiac function. It is used to:

  • Diagnose heart failure and determine its severity.
  • Guide treatment decisions, such as the use of medications like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of treatment in patients with heart failure or after a myocardial infarction.
  • Assess the risk of complications in patients undergoing surgery.

Measurement Techniques[edit | edit source]

LVEF can be measured using several imaging techniques, including:

Factors Affecting LVEF[edit | edit source]

Several factors can influence LVEF, including:

Also see[edit | edit source]


Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

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