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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models
Published on: July 21, 2023
Therapy for diastolic heart failure
William C Little1, Steffen Brucks
1Department of Medicine, Cardiology Section, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, NC, USA. wlittle@wfubmc.edu
Abstract:
There is little objective to guide the therapy of patients with diastolic heart failure. Because of the similarities of pathophysiology abnormalities in diastolic and systolic heart failure, it is a reasonable inference to suggest that the proven therapy for systolic heart failure may also be of benefit in patients with diastolic heart failure. Treatment of underlying or exacerbating conditions in diastolic heart failure, such as hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, ischemia, diabetes, anemia, obesity and pulmonary disease is an important means of managing diastolic heart failure. Control of systolic blood pressure is effective in improving and preventing the development of diastolic heart failure. Treatment of diastolic heart failure is most effective when it is associated with hypertension. Production of systolic arterial pressure acutely reduces pulmonary congestion, ischemia, and chronically may lead to regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients with diastolic heart failure in the absence of hypertension are very difficult to treat.
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