Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism
11:04

Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism

Published on: September 1, 2014

Effects of carvedilol therapy on restrictive diastolic filling pattern in chronic heart failure

Alberto Palazzuoli1, Arcangelo Carrera, Paolo Calabria

  • 1Institute of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. palazzuoli2@unisi.it

American Heart Journal
|December 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Carvedilol therapy improved diastolic filling parameters in heart failure patients, shifting restrictive filling patterns toward normal. These positive effects on diastolic function occurred independently of systolic improvements.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Carvedilol effectively reduces mortality and improves left ventricular (LV) systolic performance in heart failure.
  • Limited data exists on carvedilol's impact on LV diastolic filling patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of carvedilol on LV diastolic function using echo-Doppler ultrasound.
  • To assess changes in diastolic filling patterns in heart failure patients with restrictive filling.

Main Methods:

  • 27 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe LV systolic dysfunction were studied.
  • 14 patients received carvedilol; 13 received standard therapy (placebo).
  • Echo-Doppler examinations were performed at baseline, 4 months, and 12 months.

Main Results:

  • Carvedilol group showed progressive improvement in Doppler parameters (A wave, deceleration time, isovolumetric relaxation time) after 4 months.
  • Improvements in the carvedilol group were sustained at 1 year and significantly differed from the placebo group.
  • Diastolic improvements occurred before significant changes in systolic performance or morphology.

Conclusions:

  • Carvedilol therapy favorably modifies diastolic filling parameters in heart failure patients.
  • These diastolic effects appear independent of systolic function improvements.
  • Carvedilol therapy can alter unfavorable restrictive filling patterns towards pseudonormal or altered relaxation patterns.
Abstract

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