LVEF
Also written as: LVEF — Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Left ventricular ejection fraction; the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat.
Full Definition
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a critical measurement representing the percentage of blood volume ejected from the left ventricle during systole, calculated as stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume. Normal LVEF typically ranges from 55-70%, with values below 40% indicating significant systolic dysfunction and those between 40-49% representing borderline or mildly reduced function. LVEF is commonly assessed using echocardiography, cardiac MRI, or nuclear imaging techniques and serves as a key parameter for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions in heart failure and other cardiac conditions.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out on first use in patient-facing documents; may be abbreviated in subsequent references.
In Context
- "The echocardiogram revealed an LVEF of 35%, consistent with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction." — Cardiology report
- "Serial LVEF monitoring is recommended following anthracycline chemotherapy." — Cardio-oncology protocol