The continuing challenge of evaluating diastolic function by echocardiography in children: developing concepts and...

Assessment of diastolic function by echocardiography is challenging but important. Left ventricular filling has been more extensively studied than the right ventricle, and predominantly in adult populations. Although multiple parameters exist to assess diastolic function, they all have limitations, including load and heart rate dependency, which make assessment of diastolic function particularly challenging. The purpose of this article is to review evolving concepts and modalities for echo assessment of diastolic function in children.

The paradigm whereby diastolic dysfunction severity progresses in a staged fashion from impaired relaxation to increasing ventricular stiffness, may not apply in children. In addition, previous adult guidelines are not readily applicable to children with cardiomyopathy and the applicability of the newly revised adult guidelines needs to be evaluated in children. It is unlikely that any one single echocardiographic diastolic parameter will adequately reflect diastolic function. Hence, parameters derived from atrioventricular valve inflow, pulmonary venous, and tissue Doppler need to be integrated. Newer modalities such as diastolic strain rate and rotation mechanics may be useful as more sensitive markers of early ventricular dysfunction but have important limitations and require more evaluation before routine use in practice. Assessment of systolic-diastolic coupling may enhance assessment of diastolic function.

Diastolic function impacts outcomes and should be part of routine echocardiographic assessment of function. An integrative approach combining different parameters, possibly with contribution of newer modalities in the future, is required.