Diastolic dysfunction, a critical term in cardiac ultrasound, refers to the heart’s impaired ability to properly relax and fill with blood during diastole. This condition, often caused by stiffening of the left ventricular muscle, leads to elevated filling pressures and can result in symptoms of heart failure, even with preserved ejection fraction. Early detection via echocardiography is vital for effective management and improved patient outcomes.
Medical ultrasound plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring diastolic dysfunction. Parameters such as E/A ratio, E/e’ ratio, and left atrial volume are meticulously assessed to grade its severity. Understanding this dysfunction is essential for cardiologists and sonographers to provide accurate diagnoses and tailor treatment plans, making it a highly relevant concept in cardiovascular imaging.