Echocardiography

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) may be assessed by echocardiography. Imaging studies have superior sensitivity and specificity compared to the standard exercise tolerance test (ETT) and are indicated in the presence of an abnormal resting electrocardiogram or non-diagnostic standard ETT.

Driver should have:

• An LVEF greater than or equal to 40%.
• No pulmonary hypertension.

Note: Pulmonary hypertension is pulmonary artery pressure greater than 50% of systemic systolic blood as determined by echocardiography or cardiac catheterization.

Remember

If echocardiography test results are inconclusive, some form of radionuclide imaging may be used to obtain the ejection fraction measurement.