what is ejection fraction

WHAT ISEJECTION FRACTION?

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Ejection fraction is a

calculation that helps

doctor's measure the

efficiency of the heart.

The heart has both a

left ejection fraction and

a right ejection fraction

since each side of the

heart pumps separately.

The left side of the

heart pumps blood to

the brain and

throughout the body.

The right side of the

heart pumps blood to

the lungs.

In most cases the term

"ejection fraction"

means left ventricle

ejection fraction.

Ejection fraction is

calculated by the amount of

blood pumped out of the

heart with each beat

divided by the amount of

blood in the heart at its

fullest.

A normal range for ejection

fraction is 65%, plus or

minus 12, which means

that the normal, healthy

hearts only pump about

65% of the blood out of

their heart with each beat.

There are multiple ways to measure

ejection fraction, including:

* Echocardiogram

(ultrasound of the heart)

* Cardiac MRI

* CT scan of the heart

* Cardiac catheterization

* MUGA Scan

(multiple gated acquisition, also

known as nuclear ventriculogram)

To learn more about proceduresto measure ejection fraction,

contact theOklahoma Heart Hospital today.

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