skip to main content

Normal Ejection Fraction — FRCA Primary MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

EasyPhysiology - CardiovascularNormal Ejection FractionFRCA Primary

In a healthy adult, the conventional approximate normal range for left ventricular ejection fraction measured by echocardiography is:

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B55–70%

The correct answer is B: 55–70%. Left ventricular ejection fraction is the proportion of end-diastolic ventricular volume ejected during systole: LVEF = SV/EDV × 100. A value around 60% is typical in a healthy adult, and 55–70% is the conventional approximate normal range used for this level of physiology question. Values of 35–45% indicate reduced left ventricular systolic function, while 25–35% represents more marked impairment. Values of 80–90% may occur in a hyperdynamic state but are not the usual resting normal range; 95–100% is physiologically implausible as a normal value. LVEF is influenced by preload and afterload and therefore is not a pure index of myocardial contractility.

Reference: Harkness A, Ring L, Augustine DX, et al. Normal reference intervals for cardiac dimensions and function for use in echocardiographic practice: a guideline from the British Society of Echocardiography. Section: Left ventricular ejection fraction. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32105051/