ABSTRACT
Diastolic dysfunction is thought to reflect impaired relaxation of the left ventricle, with or without reduced restoring forces, together with increased stiffness of the left ventricular chamber. This chapter discusses the latest guidelines for evaluating left ventricular diastolic function. The technique for assessing the diastolic function in patients with a normal ejection fraction is described with reference to the measurement of septal and lateral e′ velocity, average E/e′ ratio, tricuspid regurgitation velocity and left atrial volume index. The grading of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is also discussed.
