What does ejection fraction measure?

Ejection fraction is a measurement that specifically assesses the amount of blood that is ejected from the left ventricle of the heart during each contraction. It is expressed as a percentage and provides important information about the heart's pumping efficiency. A normal ejection fraction indicates that a sufficient volume of blood is being expelled with each heartbeat, which is crucial for maintaining adequate blood flow to the body’s tissues.

In the context of heart function, a reduced ejection fraction can indicate various heart conditions, such as heart failure or cardiomyopathy, where the heart is not able to pump blood effectively. Therefore, this measurement is vital for evaluating the cardiac performance and for guiding treatment options in patients with heart disease.