Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
ejection fraction
A measurement of the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat, commonly abbreviated as EF.
Full Definition
Ejection fraction (EF) is a key cardiac function measurement expressed as a percentage, indicating how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction. Normal EF ranges from 50-70%, while reduced EF (typically <40%) indicates heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This metric is crucial in clinical documentation for treatment decisions and prognosis assessment.
Usage
Usage note: Always express as a percentage; avoid redundant phrasing like 'ejection fraction percentage.'
In Context
- "The echocardiogram revealed an ejection fraction of 35%, indicating significant systolic dysfunction." — Echocardiography report
- "Patient's ejection fraction improved from 40% to 55% following six months of optimal medical therapy." — Follow-up cardiology note
Also known as
EF
left ventricular ejection fraction
LVEF
Don't confuse with
stroke volume
cardiac output