LVEF is an acronym that stands for "Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction." It is a term commonly used in the field of cardiology to measure the pumping efficiency of the heart's left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber responsible for supplying oxygen-rich blood to the body.
The left ventricular ejection fraction is typically expressed as a percentage. It is calculated by dividing the amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each contraction (known as the stroke volume) by the total amount of blood present in the left ventricle at the end of diastole (the resting phase of the cardiac cycle).
A normal LVEF ranges between 50-70%, indicating that the left ventricle is effectively pumping a significant proportion of blood out with each heartbeat. A lower LVEF percentage suggests a reduced pumping efficiency, which can be indicative of various heart conditions, such as heart failure or myocardial infarction (heart attack). In such cases, the heart may struggle to supply adequate blood flow to meet the body's demands.
Evaluating LVEF is often done through non-invasive methods, such as echocardiography or cardiac imaging techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scans. These tests provide a visual representation of the heart's structure and function, allowing healthcare providers to assess LVEF accurately.
Monitoring LVEF is crucial in diagnosing and managing heart conditions, as it provides important information about the heart's pumping capabilities and helps guide treatment decisions, such as medication, lifestyle changes, or surgical interventions.
