Echo: Doppler III

Abstract

Assessing for and grading of diastolic dysfunction is important both from a diagnostic and prognostic standpoint. The presence of elevated filling pressures is associated with worse clinical outcomes in both preserved and reduced ejection fractions. In the setting of systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction is always present, and grading depends largely on mitral inflow patterns. When the ejection fraction is preserved, it is important to incorporate evidence for myocardial dysfunction from 2D imaging. Grading of diastolic dysfunction depends on mitral inflow, tissue Doppler imaging, peak tricuspid regurgitant velocity, and increased left atrial volumes.