E/e' Ratio

The E/e' ratio is a measurement used in echocardiography to assess how well the heart's left ventricle fills with blood. "E" represents the blood flow velocity during early, passive filling of the heart, while "e'" (ee-prime) indicates the heart muscle's speed in relaxing. A higher E/e' ratio suggests that the heart's filling pressure may be elevated, which can indicate diastolic dysfunction or problems with how the heart relaxes. This measurement helps doctors evaluate heart function and diagnose related conditions, especially in patients with symptoms of heart failure.