difibrillator

how accurate is the echocardiogram used to measure ejection fraction. I had one done in november and the results were determined to be 30. I had another done this month and the results were 23. Is there a margin of error, and is the interpretation of this test and its results based on a strict criteria?

thank you

[itdood]

I'd say at best echocardiography is +/- 5% for LVEF .....*at best*, when compared to the best invasive way to measure it which is angiography.

A lot of things can contribute to the difference, like medications, the type of echo used...

[Jerry_NJ]

Looking back at three echocardograms done on me, one before heart surgery to repair a mitral valve and two since, all show an "estimated" EF of 60%  This seems to suggest the method has produced consistent results on me - I have no reason to believe there was any looking back when the "estimate" was made.

Still, it suggests by the use of "estimate" there is some expert judgment involved, it is not a simple matter of reading a "meter" on the lab equipment.