[Pharmacotherapy of diastolic dysfunction in heart failure]

Impaired left ventricular diastolic function is an indicator of early stages of heart disease. In cardiac failure it is not necessarily associated with impaired systolic function and correlates more closely with clinical symptoms or load tolerance. Pharmacotherapy leading to improved diastolic parameters improves also the clinical condition of cardiac failure. Based on data in the literature, the authors analyze drugs which exert a favourable effect on left ventricular diastolic function: ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta adrenergic agonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, diuretic and direct vasodilating agents, from the aspect of clinical administration.