Percentage of left ventricular volume ejected with each contraction
Expansion
Ejection Fraction
Purpose
Measures systolic function; normal ejection fraction greater than or equal to 55 percent
Clinical Context
Ejection fraction equals (end-diastolic volume minus end-systolic volume) divided by end-diastolic volume times 100 percent. Measured on echo (visual estimate, M-mode, 2D, 3D), ventriculography, MRI, or nuclear scan.
Related Terms
- LVEF
- Cardiac function
Key Points
- Ejection fraction less than 40 percent equals systolic dysfunction; 40 to 49 percent equals mildly reduced; greater than or equal to 50 percent equals normal. Used to stratify heart failure severity