Non-Invasive Assessment of Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction: Where Do We Stand?

Abstract

The left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is the preferred parameter applied for the non-invasive evaluation of LV systolic function in clinical practice. It has a well-recognized and extensive role in the clinical management of numerous cardiac conditions. Many imaging modalities are currently available for the non-invasive assessment of LVEF. The aim of this review is to describe their relative advantages and disadvantages, proposing a hierarchical application of the different imaging tests available for LVEF evaluation based on the level of accuracy/reproducibility clinically required.

Keywords

• cardiac imaging
• left ventricular ejection fraction
• echocardiography
• cardiac magnetic resonance
• computed tomography
• nuclear cardiology