EJECTION FRACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Ejection fraction refers to a numerical measurement that describes the efficiency of the heart's functioning in pumping blood out of the left ventricle. It is a critical parameter used in diagnosing and evaluating heart diseases, particularly heart failure or myocardial infarction. The ejection fraction is expressed as a percentage and represents the amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each heart contraction or heartbeat.
To calculate the ejection fraction, the total volume of blood in the left ventricle at the end of diastole (when the ventricles are relaxed and filled with blood) is compared to the amount of blood remaining in the ventricle after systole (when the ventricles contract to pump blood). The difference in blood volumes is divided by the total volume at the end of diastole and multiplied by 100 to obtain the percentage.
Generally, a normal ejection fraction ranges between 50% to 70%, indicating a healthy heart with efficient pumping function. However, a reduced ejection fraction signifies compromised heart function, often associated with conditions such as heart failure or heart muscle damage. In such cases, an ejection fraction below 50% may indicate poor pumping ability, potentially leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid buildup. Monitoring and managing ejection fraction is vital for physicians to assess heart function, determine the need for medication, and evaluate the potential for interventions like cardiac resynchronization therapy or implantation of a defibrillator.
Common Misspellings for EJECTION FRACTION
- wjection fraction
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- ehection fraction
- enection fraction
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- ekection fraction
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- euection fraction
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- ej3ction fraction
- ejextion fraction
- ejevtion fraction
Etymology of EJECTION FRACTION
The word "ejection fraction" comes from two main components:
1. "Ejection": This term is derived from the Latin word "eicere", which means "to throw out" or "to project". In the medical context, ejection means the action of expelling or forcing something out, such as blood from the heart.
2. "Fraction": This term stems from the Latin word "fractus", which means "broken" or "divided". Fraction refers to a numerical representation of a part or proportion of a whole.
When combined, "ejection fraction" refers to the measurement or calculation that represents the proportion or percentage of blood pumped out of the heart's left ventricle with each contraction.
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