EKG, what reads as normal?

[lovedogs810]

Trying to get into a experimental  protocol for treatment of cancer.  All else has failed.  Where or what on the EKG results determine normal.  We were told that the heart is at 36%, its need to be at least 40% to be accepted into protocol.  This is wrong as the heart is fine.  I am trying to figure out where they found the % that determined the percentage.

[whisperwolf]

It is probably your ejaction percentage of the mitral valve.

[MichelleP_3811]

I would ask your doctor to be certain in case I am wrong because I am only a patient like yourself but I believe the % is related to ejection fraction. I pulled this off the Cleveland Clinic website to help you understand it better.  As you can see the threshold appears to be 40 and above to be considered free from Heart Failure.  That said, I would get retested if you came in below and believe your results were in error.  It can happen and it would be a shame if you were excluded because of it. Best of luck getting into the trial and I send healing prayers your way as you battle your illness.

What is ejection fraction?
Ejection fraction is a test that determines how well your heart pumps with each beat.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the measurement of how much blood is being pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart (the main pumping chamber) with each contraction.

Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is the measurement of how much blood is being pumped out of the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygen.

In most cases, the term “ejection fraction” refers to left ventricular ejection fraction.
Ejection Fraction Measurement What it Means
55-70% Normal
40-55% Below Normal
Less than 40% May confirm diagnosis of heart failure
<35% Patient may be at risk of life-threatening irregular heartbeats

What do the numbers mean?
Ejection fraction is usually expressed as a percentage. A normal heart pumps a little more than half the heart’s blood volume with each beat. (1)

A normal LVEF ranges from 55-70%. A LVEF of 65, for example, means that 65% of the total amount of blood in the left ventricle is pumped out with each heartbeat.

The LVEF may be lower when the heart muscle has become damaged due to a heart attack, heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy), or other causes.

An EF of less than 40% may confirm a diagnosis of heart failure. Someone with diastolic failure can have a normal EF.

An EF of less than 35% increases the risk of life- threatening irregular heartbeats that can cause sudden cardiac arrest (loss of heart function) and sudden cardiac death. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended for these patients.

Your EF can go up and down, based on your heart condition and the therapies that have been prescribed.
How is EF measured?

EF can be measured in your doctor’s office during tests such as:

Ultrasound of the heart (echocardiography) – used most often
Cardiac catheterization
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the heart
Nuclear medicine scan (multiple gated acquisition or MUGA) of the  heart; also called a nuclear stress test
Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the heart

What is heart failure?

Heart failure means:
The muscles of the heart are weaker than normal or the lower chambers of the heart are not able to relax and fill with blood as they normally do
Less blood is pumped out of the heart to organs and tissues in the body
Pressure in the heart increases

Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped working.

When the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body’s needs, it tries to adapt. The chambers of the heart stretch to hold more blood to pump through the body with each heartbeat. Hormones are released into the bloodstream to increase the heart’s pumping power and increase blood flow into the heart chambers. These changes provide temporary relief, but over time, the heart muscle walls continue to weaken and/or stiffen.

There are two types of heart failure:
Systolic left ventricular dysfunction (or systolic heart failure) occurs when the left ventricle heart muscle doesn't contract with enough force, so less oxygen-rich blood is pumped throughout the body.

Heart failure with preserved left ventricular function (diastolic heart failure) occurs when the heart contracts normally, but the ventricles do not relax properly or are stiff and less blood enters the heart during normal filling. In this case, the ejection fraction may be normal.
Why It’s Important to Know Your EF

If you have a heart condition, it is important for you and your doctor to know your EF.

Your EF can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment for you and the effectiveness of the therapies that have been prescribed.

You should have your EF measured initially when you are first diagnosed with a heart condition, and again as needed, based on changes in your condition. Ask your doctor how often you should have your EF checked.