The Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: New Insights Into an Old Parameter

Authors

Tanya Dutta, New York Medical CollegeFollow
Daniel Spevack, New York Medical College
Wilbert S. Aronow, New York Medical CollegeFollow

DOI

10.1080/21548331.2019.1687247

Journal Title

Hospital Practice

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

October 2019

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Accurate evaluation of cardiac function has become increasingly important as the treatment of cardiac disease has become more complex. At the same time, technological advances allow greater accuracy and precision in cardiac measurements. Measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been a pillar of cardiac evaluation. Several non-invasive modalities are available to assess LVEF; each has advantages and limitations. This review examines various modalities used to measure LVEF and focuses on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each modality. In some clinical settings, however, LVEF may be too insensitive to convey subtle changes in LV contractility. This review also highlights clinical situations in which use of LVEF may be an insufficient measure of left ventricular systolic function. Global longitudinal strain is one such parameter that has shown promise for detecting subtle reductions in left ventricular contractility in subjects with chemotherapy induced cardiotoxicity.

Recommended Citation

Dutta, T., Spevack, D., & Aronow, W. (2019). The Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: New Insights Into an Old Parameter. Hospital Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/21548331.2019.1687247