EF
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Ejection fraction |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
EF stands for Ejection fraction, a cardiology abbreviation.
Percentage of blood in the left ventricle pumped out with each heartbeat, the most widely used measure of heart pumping function. A normal left ventricular EF is about 55 to 70 percent, and values of 40 percent or less define heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Example: Echo today: EF 35%, down from 55% last year; cardio-oncology consulted.
Usage notes
EF is calculated as stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume and can be measured by echocardiography, cardiac MRI, nuclear scans or ventriculography; results differ slightly between methods. A normal EF does not exclude heart failure, as HFpEF shows. Unless specified, EF refers to the left ventricle, and right ventricular function is described separately.
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.