Logo image
Back
Cardiology without ejection fraction
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Cardiology without ejection fraction

Peter L M Kerkhof, Rienzi A Diaz-Navarro and Neal Handly
The British journal of cardiology, v 32(4), p052
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5837/bjc.2025.052
PMID: 42465127

Abstract

Heart Failure
Ejection fraction (EF) offers a remarkable approach to assess ventricular and atrial pumping capacity. Its value can easily be calculated, and it seems to reflect performance. However, EF is a non-preferred candidate from a conceptual point of view. To fully understand the weakness of the EF metric, it is necessary to appreciate that its numerical value (by its definition) solely depends on end-systolic volume (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV). This tight mathematical connection can best be graphically represented in the ventricular volume domain while relating ESV to EDV, leading to straight conclusions about EF. No previous paper has addressed the curious tradition of applying EF in cardiology in terms of the indirect reasons for its popularity, as well as the intrinsic shortcomings, alongside the statistical irregularities involved. This review highlights the misleading attractiveness of EF, while also offering logical alternatives without invoking the need for relying on additional data beyond standard measurements.

Metrics

1 Record Views

Details

Logo image