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Ejection Fraction

Ejection fraction (EF) is a measure of the efficiency of the left ventricle or right ventricle to pump blood with each heartbeat.#

EF is expressed as a percentage of the total amount of blood, in for example the left ventricle, that is pumped out with each heartbeat Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the percentage of blood that is being pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart with each contraction. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is the percentage of blood that is being pumped out of the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygen. In most cases, the term “ejection fraction” refers to left ventricular ejection fraction.

Ejection fraction can be measured using:#

  • Echocardiogram (echo)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the heart
  • Nuclear medicine scan (multiple gated acquisition MUGA]) of the heart. Also known as a stress test.

Levels of ejection Fraction#

  • 55% to 70%
    • Pumping ability of the heart is considered normal; or
    • there is heart failure with preserved EF (HF-pEF).
  • 40% to 54%
    • Pumping ability of the heart is considered slightly below normal but there may be no overt symptoms of heart failure.
  • 35% to 39%
    • Pumping ability of the heart is considered moderately below normal and there is mild heart failure with reduced EF (HF-rEF).
  • <35%
    • Pumping ability of the heart is considered severely below normal.
    • Severe HF-rEF with an increased risk of cardiac dyssynchrony/desynchronization (right and left ventricles do not pump in unison).

Related Pages#