Diastolic dysfunction

There is no convenient measure of diastolic function. The most commonly used are:

• the rate constant (tau) of the left ventricular pressure drop during isovolumic relaxation
• peak left ventricular filling rate as determined by MUGA scanning

All measures of diastolic function are dependent on heart rate, ventricular loading and systolic function.

In diastolic dysfunction the passive recoil of the ventricle during early diastole is lost resulting in delayed fall in left ventricular pressure. There may also be increased dependence on atrial activity in order to fill the ventricle.