: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction by 2D Echocardiography Using Teichholz Method

: What This Test Measures

: The left ventricle is the heart chamber that pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the body. Ejection fraction is the percentage of blood in that chamber that is pumped out with each heartbeat. This test calculates that percentage from ultrasound measurements of the chamber's dimensions.

: How the Test Is Done

: A trained technologist or physician performs a transthoracic echocardiogram, placing an ultrasound probe on the chest to capture moving pictures of the heart. The Teichholz method is a formula that estimates chamber volume from measured internal dimensions, and the ejection fraction is then calculated from those estimates.

: What the Results Mean

: A normal ejection fraction generally indicates the heart is pumping effectively, while a lower value may suggest reduced pumping strength. The specific normal range can vary by laboratory and clinical context, so your care team will interpret your result alongside your symptoms and other findings.

: Limitations to Keep in Mind

: Because the Teichholz method relies on dimensional measurements and assumptions about chamber shape, its estimates can be less accurate when the heart's shape is altered or when certain conditions affect the geometry of the chamber. Other echocardiographic methods may be used for comparison.