Left ventricular function refers to the ability of the left ventricle, which is one of the four chambers of the heart, to contract and pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. It is an essential parameter used to assess the efficiency of the heart's pumping mechanism.
The left ventricle receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the left atrium and then contracts forcefully to pump this oxygen-rich blood to the systemic circulation, reaching all tissues and organs of the body. Left ventricular function is typically quantified by several parameters, including ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and stroke volume.
Ejection fraction (EF) is the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle during each heartbeat. A normal ejection fraction usually ranges between 55% to 70%. A reduced ejection fraction indicates decreased ventricular pumping ability and is commonly observed in conditions such as heart failure and coronary artery disease.
Fractional shortening (FS) is the percentage of change in the size of the left ventricle during contraction. It measures the contractility or strength of the ventricular muscle. A reduced fractional shortening suggests impaired contractility and can be indicative of certain cardiac diseases.
Stroke volume (SV) is the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat. It is calculated by subtracting the volume of blood in the ventricle after contraction (end-systolic volume) from the volume of blood before contraction (end-diastolic volume). A lower stroke volume may indicate reduced heart function.
Assessment of left ventricular function is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring various cardiovascular conditions, evaluating treatment responses, and predicting patient outcomes.
