What is the expected effect of ischemic left ventricular dysfunction on ejection fraction?

Ischemic left ventricular dysfunction refers to the condition where the heart muscle becomes weakened due to a lack of blood supply, often caused by coronary artery disease. This lack of blood flow results in reduced oxygen and nutrient delivery to the heart tissue, leading to impaired contractility of the heart chamber.

As a result, one of the key measurements affected by ischemic left ventricular dysfunction is the ejection fraction, which is the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the ventricle with each heartbeat. Typically, when the left ventricle is not functioning optimally due to ischemic conditions, the heart's ability to contract and pump blood effectively declines. This impaired contractility leads to a decrease in the amount of blood ejected, thereby causing a reduction in ejection fraction.

In cases of significant ischemic injury, the ejection fraction may drop below normal levels, indicating a decline in the heart's pumping efficiency. Therefore, the expected effect of ischemic left ventricular dysfunction on ejection fraction is a decrease, making this the correct understanding of the relationship between ischemia and cardiac function.