Ejection Fraction Calculator

The Ejection Fraction Calculator is a tool used to assess the pump function of the heart. The ejection fraction expresses as a percentage how much of a chamber (usually the left ventricle) the heart empties in one heartbeat. This calculator is important for assessing cardiac function and monitoring conditions such as heart failure.

When using the online Ejection Fraction Calculator: you can calculate by entering Stroke volume and End diastolic volume.

How is Ejection Fraction Calculated?

The ejection fraction expresses as a percentage how much of a chamber (usually the left ventricle) the heart empties in one heartbeat. The ejection fraction is calculated by measuring the amount of blood inside the left ventricle with a contrast agent or imaging methods such as ultrasonography. The following formula is used for the calculation:

Where;

• Peak Filling Volume: The moment when the heart muscle relaxes and the left ventricle receives the most blood.
• Peak Discharge Volume: The moment when the left ventricle removes the least amount of blood.

In this formula, the difference between peak filling volume and peak emptying volume indicates how much of the left ventricle is emptying in each heartbeat. This value is divided by the peak filling volume and expressed as a percentage.

Ejection fraction is usually expressed as left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) and is used as an indicator of cardiovascular function. In a healthy individual, the left ventricular ejection fraction should generally be between 50% and 70%. A low ejection fraction may indicate cardiovascular problems such as heart failure.

What is Ejection Fraction?

Ejection fraction is a term that expresses as a percentage how much of a chamber (usually the left ventricle) the heart empties in one heartbeat. During one cycle of a heartbeat, some of the blood in the left ventricle is pumped into the arteries (other parts of the body). The ejection fraction measures the rate of this emptying process.

In a healthy individual, the left ventricular ejection fraction should usually be between 50% and 70%. Ejection fraction is considered an indicator of the heart’s pump function and is important in assessing cardiovascular problems such as heart failure.

How is Ejection Fraction Measured?

Ejection fraction is usually measured by several different methods, but the most common are imaging methods. Some of these methods are as follows:

1. Echocardiography (ECHO): Echocardiography is a medical imaging method used to visualize the structure and function of the heart using sound waves. Left ventricular ejection fraction is calculated based on measurements of left ventricular volume and blood volume during echocardiography. These measurements determine the full and empty volumes of blood in the left ventricle and this information is used to calculate the ejection fraction.
2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Magnetic resonance imaging is another imaging modality used to assess the structure and function of the heart. By providing high-resolution images, MRI can directly measure left ventricular volume and blood volume. These measurements are used to calculate the ejection fraction.
3. Radionuclide Imaging (SPECT or PET): Radionuclide imaging techniques are used to assess the blood flow and function of the heart. Radionuclide tracers are used to monitor how blood is distributed throughout the heart and can be used to calculate left ventricular ejection fraction.

These imaging modalities are non-invasive and reliable ways to assess the function of the left ventricle. They do not cause any discomfort or risk to the patient and usually provide results in a short time.

Clinical Importance of Ejection Fraction

Ejection fraction is a clinically important parameter and is valuable in many ways:

• Assessment of Heart Function: The ejection fraction is used to assess the pump function of the heart. It shows as a percentage how much blood the left ventricle ejects with each heartbeat. This helps determine how effectively your heart is working.
• Use in Diagnosing Heart Failure: Ejection fraction is considered an important indicator in the diagnosis of heart failure. A lower than normal ejection fraction may indicate that the heart is pumping blood inadequately and is at increased risk of developing heart failure.
• Monitoring Heart Failure Treatment: In treated heart failure patients, the level of ejection fraction is used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. An increase in ejection fraction in response to treatment may indicate that the patient’s condition is improving.
• Assessment of Risk of Cardiovascular Events: A low ejection fraction may indicate an increased risk of heart attack, sudden cardiac death and other cardiovascular events. Therefore, patients with low ejection fraction are often monitored more closely and may be placed on more aggressive treatment regimens.
• Planning Cardiac Procedures: Ejection fraction plays an important role in planning cardiac surgery or other cardiac procedures. In particular, patients with low ejection fraction may have higher surgical risks.

For these reasons, ejection fraction is considered a critical parameter in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning of cardiovascular diseases.

Uses of Ejection Fraction Calculation

Ejection fraction calculation has many uses and plays an important role in the assessment and treatment planning of cardiovascular diseases. Here are some of the uses of ejection fraction:

Diagnosis and Classification of Heart Failure: Ejection fraction is a critical parameter in the diagnosis and classification of heart failure. A low ejection fraction may indicate that the heart is pumping blood inadequately and is at increased risk of developing heart failure.

Heart Failure Treatment Management: In treated heart failure patients, the level of ejection fraction is used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. An increase in ejection fraction in response to treatment may indicate that the patient’s condition is improving.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Ejection fraction is considered an important indicator in assessing the risk of cardiovascular events. A low ejection fraction may indicate an increased risk of heart attack, sudden cardiac death and other cardiovascular events.

Planning Cardiac Procedures: Ejection fraction plays an important role in planning cardiac surgery or other cardiac procedures. In particular, patients with a low ejection fraction may have a higher risk of surgery.

Management of Drug Therapy: Ejection fraction is also important in the management of medications used to treat heart failure. An increase or decrease in ejection fraction in response to therapy may require adjustment of the treatment regimen.

These areas indicate that ejection fraction calculation plays a critical role in the assessment, treatment planning and follow-up of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, ejection fraction measurement is considered an important parameter in cardiovascular health.