Left ventricular function (LVF) assessment
In 2009, 99 percent of heart failure patients at Community Health Network and The Indiana Heart Hospital received left ventricular function assessment.
|
|
CHE
|
CHN
|
CHS
|
CHA
|
TIHH
|
Network
|
National
|
|
LVF Assessments Performed
|
282
|
99
|
227
|
252
|
360
|
1220
|
NR
|
|
Total Patients Treated
|
289
|
104
|
228
|
252
|
361
|
1234
|
NR
|
|
Percentage
|
98%
|
95%
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
99%
|
90%
|
|
Data period: January - December 2009
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View key
|
Why is a left ventricular function assessment important?
The left ventricle (LV) of the heart is the chamber that pumps blood to the rest of the body. Left ventricular function is often affected in persons with heart failure. The Joint Commission, in conjunction with the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, therefore recommends LV assessment as a key diagnostic test for persons with suspected heart failure.
The most common test to assess LV function is the echocardiogram, or "echo." This test helps the physician determine how the heart is affected.
A measure called the left ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF, is used to check for damage due to heart attacks and other conditions. The LVEF value for a person with no heart damage is usually around 60 percent.
Key
CHE = Community Hospital East
CHN = Community Hospital North
CHS = Community Hospital South
CHA = Community Hospital Anderson
TIHH = The Indiana Heart Hospital
NR = Not Reported
Network = Networkwide Total
National = National Total reported by U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
= Be careful when drawing conclusions for these hospitals because of the small number of patients treated for this condition.