What does HFrEF stand for?

What does HFrEF stand for?

• A. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
• B. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
• C. High-frequency right ventricular ejection fraction
• D. Hypertrophic left ventricle ejection fraction

Answer: (A)

In heart failure, how well the left ventricle pumps blood is described by the ejection fraction (EF). HFrEF stands for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. EF is the percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each heartbeat; a normal EF is roughly 50–70%. When the heart’s pumping ability is diminished, the EF drops, indicating systolic dysfunction. This is what “reduced” signifies in HFrEF, typically with an EF of about 40% or lower. The other terms aren’t standard classifications. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) describes a normal or near-normal EF, indicating diastolic dysfunction rather than impaired contraction. The other options aren’t recognized ways to describe HF—there isn’t a concept like high-frequency right ventricular ejection fraction or hypertrophic left ventricle ejection fraction in this context.

In heart failure, how well the left ventricle pumps blood is described by the ejection fraction (EF). HFrEF stands for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. EF is the percentage of blood in the left ventricle that is pumped out with each heartbeat; a normal EF is roughly 50–70%. When the heart’s pumping ability is diminished, the EF drops, indicating systolic dysfunction. This is what “reduced” signifies in HFrEF, typically with an EF of about 40% or lower.

The other terms aren’t standard classifications. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) describes a normal or near-normal EF, indicating diastolic dysfunction rather than impaired contraction. The other options aren’t recognized ways to describe HF—there isn’t a concept like high-frequency right ventricular ejection fraction or hypertrophic left ventricle ejection fraction in this context.