Information about left ventricular function was traditionally provided primarily with measures of systolic function. Including the assessment of diastolic function has become an integral part of the evaluation of left ventricular function. Echocardiographic parameters of structure and Doppler provide information on each portion of the diastolic phases. These diastolic phases indicate change as impairment in diastolic function becomes more severe. This review of diastolic function provides the background as well as the techniques for clinical assessment of diastolic function in adult transthoracic echocardiography.
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