EJECTION-HF — LVEF Recovery Index (Prototype): explanation and context
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery after an episode of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is an important clinical outcome with implications for prognosis and management. Multiple observational studies and systematic reviews show that several features are repeatedly associated with a greater probability of LVEF improvement: higher baseline LVEF (less severe systolic dysfunction), non-ischemic etiology, shorter duration of heart failure before optimal therapy, smaller left atrial volume (LAVI), and better baseline myocardial deformation measured by global longitudinal strain (GLS). This calculator synthesizes those commonly reported predictors into a single, pragmatic index (0–100%) to provide an educational estimate of likelihood of LVEF recovery. It is intended for teaching and research-prototype use only, not for direct clinical decision-making.
References:
Key studies and reviews describing predictors of LVEF recovery include reports on echocardiographic predictors such as LAVI, GLS, and structural measures, as well as cohort analyses and reviews highlighting the role of etiology and timing of therapy. Representative sources used to build this prototype: Yoshida et al., Int J Cardiovasc Acad (LAVI and LVEF recovery). Kodur et al., Evolving natural history and consensus documents on HF improvement/recovery. Baseline longitudinal strain predicting recovery (Swat et al., JAHA). Reviews and cohort analyses that emphasize etiology and time-to-recovery / predictors. Note: EJECTION-HF is a randomized trial name in the exercise/rehabilitation literature (not a validated LVEF recovery score); it was referenced to avoid confusion with that trial name.