What is the ejection fraction (EF)? If I have a low ejection fraction, does that mean that I need a heart transplant?

The ejection fraction (EF) is a measure of how well the heart pumps blood out of its chambers (ventricles). With each contraction of your heart, a certain amount (“fraction”) is pumped out of the heart (“ejected”). A normal ejection fraction is approximately 50% to 60%. In other words, a healthy heart ejects at least half of the blood from the ventricles with each beat.

Your ejection fraction can be measured by a number of different heart tests that look at your heart. Some examples include an echocardiogram (ultrasound of your heart), heart catheterization (invasive x-ray test of your heart using thin tubes), and certain types of stress testing that may include pictures of your heart (nuclear medicine x-ray pictures).

A patient who has a cardiomyopathy usually has a reduced ejection fraction. Fortunately, most patients who have a cardiomyopathy will not need to undergo heart transplantation. Interestingly, there are some patients who have a cardiomyopathy who have minimal or no symptoms at all.

Therefore most patients who have a low ejection fraction never need a new heart. Modern treatments now allow most patients to control their symptoms and live a full and healthy lifestyle. However, if a patient develops severe heart failure and becomes very sick, he or she may then need to be evaluated for heart transplantation.