heart failure (systolic dysfunction)

Last edited 05/2018

The most convenient measurement of systolic function in the failing heart is the left ventricular ejection fraction. The ejection fraction has been shown to be a good predictor of survival but not of symptomatic limitation.

Other measures of systolic function require ventriculography and pressure determination:

  • there is a reduction in the maximal rate of increase of left ventricular pressure
  • the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure is increased