HFrEF
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
HFrEF stands for Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, a cardiology abbreviation.
Heart failure with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40 percent or less, often called systolic heart failure. Four drug classes, nicknamed the "four pillars," reduce death and hospitalization: an ARNI or ACE inhibitor/ARB, an evidence-based beta-blocker, a mineralocorticoid antagonist and an SGLT2 inhibitor.
Example: HFrEF with LVEF 25%; ICD referral if EF remains under 35% after 3 months of optimized GDMT.
Usage notes
Pronounced "HEF-ref." Common causes include prior MI, dilated cardiomyopathy, valve disease and toxins such as alcohol or certain chemotherapy drugs. Patients whose EF remains 35% or lower despite optimal therapy may qualify for an implantable defibrillator or, with a wide QRS, cardiac resynchronization therapy. The older term "systolic heart failure" is still common in charts.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- HBP – High blood pressure
- HCM – Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- HF – Heart failure
- HFimpEF – Heart failure with improved ejection fraction
- HFmrEF – Heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction
- HFpEF – Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
- HHD – Hypertensive heart disease
- HLD – Hyperlipidemia
- HLHS – Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- HOCM – Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- HRS – Heart Rhythm Society
- hs-cTn – High-sensitivity cardiac troponin
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.