Etymed
diastolic dysfunction
Definition
Abnormal relaxation or filling of the heart muscle during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle
Clinical context
A 65-year-old patient presents with progressive dyspnea on exertion and bilateral lower extremity edema. Echocardiography reveals a restrictive filling pattern with reduced early diastolic filling velocities and elevated left atrial pressures. The patient's symptoms are consistent with diastolic dysfunction due to impaired myocardial relaxation during the filling phase.
Mnemonic
DIASTOLE = Diastolic dysfunction is Abnormal Relaxation of the heart during filling phase