<<forEachTiddler where 'tiddler.tags.contains(context.inTiddler.title)' sortBy tiddler.title ascending write '"*[["+tiddler.title+"]]\n"'>> <<tiddler AutoRefresh with: force>> Transthoracic for valvular heart disease and ventricular function (cardiomyopathy/pericardial disease) Transoesophageal for left atrium (source of clot), descending aorta and infective endocarditis (posterior structure) stress test - looks at function when on treadmill or following dobutamine cf at rest ejection fraction suggests severity of heart failure (left systolic) and thus prognosis - good predictor of longevity but doesn't correlate with symptomatic limitation. stroke volume (amt ejected out) / end diastolic volume (amt in full heart before contraction) left ventricular ejection fraction - normal is 63-77% male, 55-75% female (<40% is problematic with <25% severe) Higher fractions may be seen in older less compliant adapted healthy hearts Note - Diastolic heart failure - Sx but normal EF - drugs help Sx but not survival