[The diastolic function of the left ventricle. I. The ventricular suction]

The paper describes the normal and pathological characteristics of left ventricular filling. There are described some of the most sophisticated methods of assessing left ventricular function: The volume-time curve, the rate of change of left ventricular volume (dV/dt) and the pressure-volume loop. It is discussed the phenomenon of ventricular diastolic suction as an accessory mechanism of filling in some restrictive disorders.