What does ejection fraction represent?

Ejection fraction is a key measurement in cardiology that quantifies the heart's efficiency in pumping blood. Specifically, it represents the fraction of the end-diastolic volume that is ejected from the ventricle during systole, which is the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle.

This measurement is calculated by dividing the stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat) by the end-diastolic volume (the total amount of blood in the ventricle just before contraction). A higher ejection fraction indicates a more efficient heart that is effectively pumping a larger proportion of the blood that fills the ventricles, while a lower ejection fraction could suggest heart dysfunction or heart failure.

Thus, understanding ejection fraction is critical in assessing cardiac function and determining the appropriate clinical interventions for patients with cardiovascular issues.