The left ventricular ejection fraction: new insights into an old parameter.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Accurate cardiac function assessment is crucial for managing complex cardiac diseases.
• Technological advancements enhance precision in cardiac measurements.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a standard metric for cardiac evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review noninvasive modalities for measuring LVEF.
• To analyze the strengths and limitations of each LVEF assessment method.
• To introduce global longitudinal strain as a potentially more sensitive parameter for left ventricular contractility.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on noninvasive cardiac function assessment modalities.
• Comparative analysis of LVEF measurement techniques.
• Discussion of global longitudinal strain as an emerging parameter.

Main Results:

• Various noninvasive methods exist for LVEF assessment, each with distinct advantages and limitations.
• LVEF may be insensitive to subtle changes in left ventricular contractility in certain clinical scenarios.
• Global longitudinal strain shows promise in detecting early reductions in contractility, particularly in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• LVEF remains a cornerstone of cardiac evaluation but has limitations.
• Global longitudinal strain offers a complementary or alternative approach for assessing left ventricular systolic function.
• Global longitudinal strain may be superior for detecting subtle myocardial impairment, such as in cardiotoxicity.