An ejection factor, or ejection fraction, represents the percentage of blood the heart is pumping out with each beat. For example, an ejection fraction of 50 percent means that the heart muscle pumps out half of the blood that is in its chamber. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a healthy heart should pump out 50 to 70 percent of its volume. When the ejection factor drops below this number, it may be a sign of heart failure that requires medication.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors, are medications used to treat a low ejection factor. ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the production of an enzyme called angiotensin II, which causes the blood vessels to constrict. The Cleveland Clinic states that this class of drugs relaxes the blood vessels and allows them to widen. This, in turn, increases the amount of blood the heart can pump out, which then raises the ejection factor.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are drugs that bind to beta receptors on the nerves in order to block the activity of substances such as adrenaline. Adrenaline and other substances released by the sympathetic nervous system can cause the blood vessels to narrow and restrict blood flow. Beta blockers allow the blood vessels to stay dilated. A paper published by EMCREG-International claims that patients who started beta blocker therapy had significant increases in left ventricle ejection fraction.
Inotropes
Inotropes are medications that make the heart contract, or pump, more forcefully, claims the Texas Heart Institute. Inotropes can be either positive and increase the force of the heart beat, or negative, decreasing the force. In the case of a low ejection fraction, positive inotropes can be prescribed to help the heart beat more forcefully and push out more blood with less beats per minute. This allows the heart to deliver the blood and oxygen the body needs, while reducing its workload.
