Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
ejection fraction
Percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat, indicating heart function.
Full Definition
Ejection fraction (EF) is a measurement of how much blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction, expressed as a percentage. A normal ejection fraction ranges from 50-70%. Values below 40% indicate reduced heart function and may suggest heart failure. This measurement is crucial in cardiology for assessing heart function, determining treatment options, and monitoring disease progression. It is typically measured using echocardiography, cardiac MRI, or nuclear imaging.
Usage
Usage note: Always express as a percentage; may be abbreviated as EF in clinical contexts after first use.
In Context
- "The patient's ejection fraction improved from 30% to 45% following treatment." — Follow-up cardiology report
- "Reduced ejection fraction below 40% indicates systolic heart failure." — Clinical guideline
Also known as
EF
left ventricular ejection fraction
LVEF
Don't confuse with
stroke volume
cardiac output