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Published on: December 22, 2023
Diastolic dysfunction in pediatric cardiac patients: evaluation and management
Gautam K Singh1, Mark R Holland
1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, One Children's Place, Campus Box 8116-NWT, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA, Singh_g@kids.wustl.edu.
Insights
Pediatric heart failure diagnosis is complex, distinguishing between systolic and diastolic dysfunction can be challenging. Echocardiography advances improve understanding of diastolic function and dysfunction in children with heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- The heart functions through systolic (ejection) and diastolic (filling) phases.
- Diastolic heart failure with preserved systolic function is recognized in adults.
- Diagnosing distinct systolic and diastolic heart failure in pediatric patients presents challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complexities of systolic and diastolic heart failure in pediatric patients.
- To highlight the role of echocardiography in understanding pediatric cardiac function.
- To inform management strategies for pediatric heart failure.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of cardiac cycles (systole and diastole).
- Discussion of diagnostic challenges in pediatric heart failure.
- Emphasis on advancements in echocardiography for assessing cardiac function.
Main Results:
- Systolic and diastolic cardiac cycles are intricately linked, not entirely separate.
- Echocardiography has enhanced the understanding of diastolic function and dysfunction in pediatric heart disease.
- A discrete diagnosis of systolic versus diastolic heart failure is difficult in children.
Conclusions:
- The evolving concept of heart failure, encompassing both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, is crucial for pediatric management.
- Improved understanding of diastolic function is key to managing complex pediatric heart conditions.
- Developing tailored management strategies for pediatric heart failure is an ongoing process.
Opinion Statement:
The heart is a complex and sophisticated pump that cycles between two phases: diastole, during which a compliant chamber (ventricle) allows the blood to fill from a reservoir chamber (atrium) of low pressure, and systole, during which a stiff chamber with rapidly rising pressure ejects the blood into an arterial circuit of high pressure. However, the systolic and diastolic cycles are not dichotomous. They have complex interactions with interrelated segments of the cardiac cycle. Although the entity of "diastolic heart failure with preserved systolic function" has been applied in adult patients, a discrete diagnosis of systolic and diastolic heart failure may be difficult to apply in pediatric patients. Advances in echocardiography have helped decipher the morphologic and physiologic expression of congenital and acquired heart disease and have increased our understanding the diastolic function and dysfunction. The evolving concept of systolic and diastolic heart failure is helping us develop a strategy for its management in pediatric patients with complex heart diseases.
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