Which echocardiographic criterion is commonly used to diagnose diastolic dysfunction?

The E/A ratio is a crucial echocardiographic criterion used to assess diastolic function of the heart. It represents the ratio of early (E) to late (A) ventricular filling velocities, as measured by Doppler echocardiography. In healthy individuals, the E wave, which reflects early diastolic filling, is typically larger than the A wave, which reflects late filling from atrial contraction.

When diastolic dysfunction occurs, this ratio can change significantly. For instance, in cases of impaired relaxation, the E wave becomes smaller relative to the A wave, leading to a decreased E/A ratio. On the other hand, in more advanced stages of diastolic dysfunction, the E wave may actually become larger than the A wave, indicating elevated filling pressures. Evaluating this ratio provides insight into the dynamics of heart filling during diastole, making it a vital tool for diagnosing various forms of diastolic dysfunction such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Other criteria, such as left ventricular ejection fraction, while important for assessing overall cardiac function, do not specifically address diastolic filling dynamics. Cardiac output measurement gives an overall assessment of heart performance but also lacks specificity for diast