[Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Implications for anesthesia and critical care]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Physiology

Background:

• Cardiac function assessment has evolved beyond systolic function to include diastolic function.
• Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction impairs heart filling due to abnormal relaxation or reduced compliance.
• Diastolic function is increasingly recognized as vital in perioperative care and critical illnesses like sepsis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing importance of left ventricular diastolic function.
• To discuss the role of Doppler echocardiography in assessing diastolic function.
• To review the impact of perioperative states and sepsis on diastolic function.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Doppler echocardiography, including tissue Doppler imaging, for diastolic function assessment.
• Reviewing recent experimental and clinical studies on diastolic dysfunction.
• Examining the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass and sepsis on ventricular compliance and relaxation.

Main Results:

• Left ventricular compliance significantly decreases after cardiopulmonary bypass.
• Sepsis is associated with reduced active relaxation and ventricular compliance.
• Doppler echocardiography is the preferred clinical method for evaluating left ventricular diastolic function.

Conclusions:

• Left ventricular diastolic function is essential for overall cardiac performance.
• Diastolic dysfunction has significant implications in perioperative and septic conditions.
• Further research is exploring therapeutic strategies for isolated diastolic dysfunction.