What does an elevated LVEDP (28) and a low LVEF (50%) mean?

Question

I recently had a number of tests, including an angiogram, stress test and echocardiogram. My cardiologist has put me on a number of medications, including timed release nitroglycerin, and I am feeling better, but I am still not exactly clear on what an elevated LVEDP and low LVEF mean, as he tends to be vague in his answers. If anyone can help me out, I would be grateful.

Answer 1

An elevated LVEDP means that your left ventricular end diastolic pressure is high.  This means that at the end of diastole (the period of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles relax and fill with blood from the atria) the pressure in the left ventricular chamber is increased beyond normal limits.  A low LVEF means that you have a low left ventricular ejection fraction.  LVEF is the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the ventricles, compared to the amount of blood that remains in the ventricle at the end of systole (the period of the cardiac cycle where the ventricles contract and eject blood systemically.)  A normal ejection fraction is anywhere from 55% - 60%, so 50% is not drastically low.  This reduced ejection fraction may also contribute to your elevated LVEDP, since the preload (blood left in the ventricular chamber pre-diastole) is increased.  Your physician is obviously aware of all this, so if there were need for concern, I'm sure he would inform you.  Hope this helps.  Good luck and all the best.