LVEF AMD CHF

  Is LVEF a true indicator that would describe the severity of CHF.  
  If this is true, is this the only severity indicator?  Also what
  sort of range of LVEF would dewscribe mild, moderate, and severe CHF?
  Thank you

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear  Clifford,
Thank you for your question.  Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is only one marker of heart function but is a fairly good marker.  Other markers include symptoms, physical findings, MUGA scans, ventriculograms, etc.   Normal LVEF is >50%, mild failure 40-50%, moderate failure 25-40%, and severe failure <25%.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies.  Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.  The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.