Echocardiography 2months ago. estimated lvef was 60%. the heart catheterization a month later estimated it at (about 50%).what does dr mean by (about 50) is it 49. and is the heart function impaired?

Not necessarily : The heart Cath is more accurate than the estimated EF on echo ( high variability between interpretation of readers). The question would be how occluded are the coronaries arteries which supply the heart. Follow up with your cardiologist as scheduled.

Normal: Echo and cardiac cath give an estimate of the ejection fraction and if you repeat the test 2 times you will get different readings. That is one reason doctors give an estimate number. Your results of EF between 50-60 % are within normal range .

Normal: value for the echocardiogram 60% value. On the newer units, this value is computed on the computer of the ultrasound. There maybe that much of a discrepancy from a catch value but tend to trust the echo value, which is normal . Values 55% or higher tend to be considered normal give or take a couple of percentages.

Probably normal: Echo and cath image the heart in different views. The echo is more complete in that it assesses all 17 segments of the left ventricle however image quality may be limited. The cath however will visualize 7 segments if 1 picture was taken or 12-14 segments if 2 pictures are taken. Image quality is also much better. If the report says about 50 the doctor is probably estimating its normal.

Not necessarily: There is considerable variability from study to study and the EF depends on many other parameters, thus this shouldn't be obsessed over, what is more important is your clinical status and activity level.