Left ventricular ejection fraction: time to revise the metric?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Education
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Patients frequently misunderstand normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) values.
• This misunderstanding stems from the proportion dominance effect, leading to misinterpretation of cardiac function.
• Misconceptions about LVEF negatively impact patient morale, adherence, and clinical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and explain the common patient misconception regarding normal left ventricular ejection fraction.
• To introduce a novel metric, "Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction - Proportion of Normal" (LVEF-PN).
• To assess the potential of LVEF-PN in improving patient comprehension, engagement, and adherence.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the psychological phenomenon of proportion dominance effect in patient interpretation of LVEF.
• Development of the LVEF-PN metric, adjusting LVEF to a patient-specific normal range.
• Conceptual framework for utilizing LVEF-PN to enhance patient-provider communication.

Main Results:

• The proportion dominance effect significantly contributes to patient misinterpretation of LVEF values.
• The proposed LVEF-PN metric offers a patient-centric approach to understanding cardiac function.
• This approach has the potential to improve patient comprehension and adherence.

Conclusions:

• Patient misunderstanding of normal LVEF is a significant barrier to effective cardiac care.
• The LVEF-Proportion of Normal metric provides a more intuitive and accurate way for patients to grasp their cardiac status.
• Implementing LVEF-PN may lead to improved patient adherence and better clinical outcomes in cardiovascular medicine.