What does ejection fraction measure?

Ejection fraction is a critical measurement used to assess heart function, specifically focusing on the efficiency of the left ventricle during contraction. It quantifies the proportion of blood that is ejected from the left ventricle with each heartbeat compared to the total volume of blood the ventricle holds at maximum filling, or end-diastolic volume.

This measurement is expressed as a percentage; for instance, a normal ejection fraction typically ranges from 55% to 70%. It provides insights into the pumping effectiveness of the heart and can indicate various cardiac conditions if the ejection fraction is lower than the normal range. Therefore, knowing that ejection fraction assesses the volume percentage of blood ejected with each contraction is integral to understanding heart health and diagnosing heart failure or other cardiac conditions.