[Diastolic Dysfunction in CKD: Cause or Effect?s]

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction (LVDD) describes changes in the heart's structure and function, leading to impaired ventricular relaxation and increased filling pressures during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. In the context of isolated LVDD, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume, global contractility, and ejection fraction (EF) are normal, with EF being 50% or higher. However, as filling pressures progressively increase, diastolic dysfunction worsens. LVDD is classified into varying degrees of severity along a continuum that may ultimately lead to heart failure. The diagnosis of LVDD in its early stages is carried out using echocardiographic criteria, which also help to determine the severity of diastolic dysfunction. The most recent update of echocardiographic criteria includes three categories: normal, indeterminate and diastolic dysfunction, that allow us to define better the CV risk of patients with or without CKD. The prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) increases among the elderly, as well as in populations with hypertension and diabetes, which heightens their cardiovascular risk. Additionally, these conditions are frequently linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although LVDD and CKD share a common pathogenic pattern, the relationship between the two conditions is not yet well understood.