Basics of diastolic function Left ventricular (LV) filling results from active relaxation and diastolic chamber compliance, and LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) is the result of impaired LV relaxation and increased…
The right ventricle plays a crucial role in determining patient functional status and prognosis in various conditions. Accordingly, the quantification of right ventricular (RV) function should be part of any…
Since its birth in the late 1990s, strain echocardiography has continued to grow over the past 20 years. Currently, global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been standardized for clinical application as…
Valvular diseases may be viewed as a model of how inappropriate loading conditions can lead to cardiac dysfunction, symptoms, and finally death. A paradox of valvular heart diseases is that,…
An estimated 6.2 million Americans older than 20 years suffer from heart failure. As the population ages and heart failure treatments improve, this number is expected to increase, with more…
Cardiomyopathy is a general term used to describe a heterogeneous group of diseases that result in impairment of ventricular function. Clinical manifestations of these diseases can range from an asymptomatic…
Pathophysiology of dispersed ventricular contraction The prediction of sudden cardiac arrest from ventricular arrhythmias remains challenging. Ventricular arrhythmias can occur from all major myocardial diseases and are the most common…
Introduction Limitations of left ventricular ejection fraction for detection of subclinical cardiomyopathy Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) plays a primary role in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. However,…
Background The assessment of left ventricular (LV) function is a fundamental requirement in many clinical situations in cardiology. Numerous techniques are used for this purpose, and a number of parameters…
Although there are multiple pharmacologic and nonpharmacological options to alleviate symptoms of emphysema, none of these treatment modalities halts disease progression. The expanding disease burden has led to development of…
