practical guide to assessment of ventricular diastolic function using doppler echocardiography

Doppler assessment of diastolic function has become standard part of routine echocardiographic examination and imparts information relevant to patientʹs functional class, management and prognosis. This review describes the Doppler patterns of diastolic function relative to physical signs and physiology. continuum of Doppler patterns of diastolic function exists, including normal diastolic function, impaired relaxation, pseudonormal filling, restriction, constriction and tamponade. These patterns evolve from one to another in single individual, with changes in disease evolution, treatment and loading conditions. New applications of continuous wave Doppler, color Doppler M-mode and Doppler tissue imaging are refining our understanding of diastolic function.