[Left ventricular diastolic function of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy]

A study of 79 patients with dilatation cardiomyopathy (DCMP), making use of echo- and angiocardiography and catheterization of various heart compartments, has demonstrated considerable changes in left ventricular diastolic properties, common to this condition: reduced pliancy of heart chamber, increased myocardial rigidity and impaired myocardial relaxation. Reduced left ventricular diastolic pliancy is associated with myocardial hypertrophy and impaired relaxation.