How is diastolic function commonly assessed using echocardiography?

Diastolic function is commonly assessed in echocardiography by measuring the mitral inflow velocity pattern and the E/e' ratios because these parameters provide critical insights into the filling pressures and relaxation characteristics of the left ventricle.

The mitral inflow velocity pattern is evaluated through pulse-wave Doppler, where the E wave represents early diastolic filling and the A wave reflects later filling during atrial contraction. The E/e' ratio, which compares the early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E wave) to the early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (e'), is particularly valuable because it offers a non-invasive estimate of left atrial pressure. Elevated E/e' ratios can indicate impaired diastolic function, making this assessment essential in diagnosing conditions like heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

In contrast, assessing left ventricular output primarily evaluates systolic function, not diastolic function. Evaluating right atrial pressures alone does not provide a comprehensive view of left ventricular diastolic function. Exercise echocardiography, although useful in assessing overall cardiac performance, is not the standard method for determining diastolic function in a resting state. Thus, measuring mitral inflow velocity patterns and E/e