Thoracic Key

INTRODUCTION Normal pericardium consists of an outer sac, the fibrous pericardium; and an inner double-layered sac, the serous pericardium. The visceral layer of the serous pericardium, or epicardium, covers the…

INTRODUCTION Exercise intolerance is the primary symptom of chronic diastolic heart failure (DHF). This chapter discusses the fundamental aspects of exercise physiology and the assessment, pathophysiology, and potential treatment of…

INTRODUCTION In diastolic heart failure, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is normal and the dominant functional abnormality resides in diastole. Thus, there is increased passive stiffness with impaired relaxation…

INTRODUCTION Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary autosomal-dominant disorder of the myocardium caused by mutations in several genes encoding cardiac contractile proteins ( Fig. 23-1 ). Histopathologically it is associated…

INTRODUCTION Early Doppler echocardiographic indices of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function have studied the mechanics of left atrial (LA) and ventricular filling. These filling indices have been proven to be…

INTRODUCTION Even the language of “diastolic heart failure” is controversial. The phrase “heart failure with preserved left ventricular function” is preferred by many. When there is uncertainty about the name…

INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions, affecting more than 170 million individuals worldwide. Global estimates for the year 2025 predict a further increase of almost 50%, with the greatest…

INTRODUCTION In clinical practice, we use many indices of cardiac function, such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), maximal positive or negative pressure/time change (dP/dt), Tau (τ), stiffness, maximum elastance,…

INTRODUCTION While the importance of hypertension in the pathogenesis of diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure is well known, relatively less attention has been paid to the interaction between coronary…