LV ejection quiz

Hey Gang:
I was at my new cardiologists office yesterday (2nd visit). He had me in the Echo lab for a PM optimization. The sonographer seemed more competent than others I've had. He and the Doc. were definitely on the same wavelength. Device Tech was there also. After lying on my left side for an hour and a half, the results were in. At the beginning, Doc agreed with the previous assessment of an EF of 20%. As the "fine tuning" progressed, things were NOT looking better. Then, he and his crew made another change, and VIOLA! Major improvement. Doc stated the volume of blood pumped out of my left ventricle has been increased 25% compared to the earlier setting. I'll get the full scoop when I see him in clinic next month. A question: What is the volume of blood a "normal" left ventricle can pump? A normal ejection fraction is somewhere around 55% - which implies there is still a pool of blood that remains in the ventricle
prior to the next "pump."

2 Comments

Hi

by Bionic Beat - 2015-12-24 06:12:47

55% to 70% is normal. The rest of the blood is not pooled but going to/coming from other vital organs.

With an EF of 55%, you are doing very well! Congratulations!

First Test

by Dave H - 2015-12-24 09:12:12

Just returned from the fitness center --------- I was able "cruise" along @ 3.8mph with a few spurts to 4 mph with NO shortness of breath. Clocked 4 miles on the treadmill, then went upstairs to the air conditioned (its 82 here today) indoor walking track and clocked another 2 miles walking as fast as my shins would allow! A nice improvement overall!!!

----Dave H -----

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

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