Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Ejection fraction (EF) is the fraction of blood ejected by the ventricle relative to its end-diastolic volume.  Therefore, EF is calculated from:

EF = (SV / EDV) • 100, where SV = stroke volume, EDV = end-diastolic volume.

Ejection fraction is most commonly measured using echocardiography. This non-invasive technique provides good estimates of end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV), and stroke volume (SV = EDV-ESV). Normally, EF is >60%. For example, if the SV is 75 ml and the EDV is 120 ml, then the EF is 63%. During exercise in highly conditioned individuals, the increased stroke volume (caused primarily by increased inotropy) can cause the EF to exceed 90%. It is important to note the SV is defined as EDV-ESV, and not the volume of blood ejected/beat into the aorta. Although in a normal heart the SV (EDV-ESV) equals the amount of blood ejected into the aorta, in the presence of regurgitant valve disease or other conditions, not all the SV is ejected into the aorta.

In heart failure, particularly in dilated cardiomyopathy, EF can be very reduced because SV decreases and EDV increases. In severe heart failure, EF may be 20% or less (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, HFrEF). EF is often used as a clinical index to evaluate the inotropic status of the heart. However, it is important to note that there are circumstances in which EF can be normal, yet the ventricle is in failure (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, HFpEF). One example is diastolic dysfunction caused by hypertrophy, in which filling is impaired because of low ventricular compliance (i.e., "stiff" ventricle) and stroke volume is therefore reduced. In this case, both SV and EDV can be reduced such that EF does not change appreciably. For this reason, low ejection fractions are associated with systolic dysfunction rather than diastolic dysfunction.

Revised 11/04/2023