Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice
Published on: February 14, 2017
Visualizing diastolic failure: Non-invasive imaging-biomarkers in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection
Alexander Schulz1, Andreas Schuster1
1Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Georg-August University, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Insights
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing medical challenge. Novel non-invasive imaging techniques offer promising insights into diastolic dysfunction, improving diagnosis and patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) presents a significant clinical challenge.
- Invasive right heart catheterization is the standard for diagnosing diastolic dysfunction but carries risks.
- Non-invasive diagnostic methods are increasingly sought for HFpEF management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore advanced, non-invasive imaging modalities for diagnosing HFpEF.
- To highlight the incremental value of novel techniques in understanding HFpEF.
- To review recent findings on prognostication and therapy monitoring using these methods.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on non-invasive cardiac imaging for HFpEF.
- Inclusion of transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac MRI, CT, PET, and SPECT.
- Analysis of diagnostic and prognostic capabilities of each modality.
Main Results:
- Novel imaging techniques provide deeper insights into HFpEF pathophysiology.
- These methods show promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy beyond traditional approaches.
- Emerging data suggest improved prognostication and therapy monitoring capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Advanced imaging techniques are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of HFpEF.
- Non-invasive methods offer valuable alternatives to invasive procedures for HFpEF diagnosis.
- These sophisticated tools may guide targeted therapies and improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is an increasing challenge for modern day medicine and has been drawing more attention recently. Invasive right heart catheterization represents the mainstay for the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction, however due to its attributable risk of an invasive procedure, other non-invasive clinical pathways are trying to approach this pathology in clinical practice. Diastolic failure is complex, and imaging is based on various parameters. In addition to transthoracic echocardiography, numerous novel imaging approaches, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, positron emission (computed) tomography or single photon emission computed tomography techniques are being used to supplement deeper insights into causal pathology and might open targets for dedicated therapy options. This article provides insights into these sophisticated imaging techniques, their incremental value for the diagnosis of this poorly understood disease and recent promising results for an enhanced prognostication of outcome and therapy monitoring.
More Related Videos
11:50High-frequency High-resolution Echocardiography: First Evidence on Non-invasive Repeated Measure of Myocardial Strain, Contractility, and Mitral Regurgitation in the Ischemia-reperfused Murine Heart
Published on: July 9, 2010
08:19Transthoracic Echocardiography to Assess Post-Resuscitation Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiac Arrest in Pigs
Published on: July 12, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for...