Diastolic Stress Test: Invasive and Noninvasive Testing

Abstract

Diastolic dysfunction is a key factor in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Around 50% of cases of heart failure, the hemodynamic correlate of which is increased left ventricular filling pressure, are caused by diastolic dysfunction in the setting of apparently normal systolic function. Due to its high prevalence, diastolic dysfunction is often recognized as an incidental finding. Many patients have Doppler echocardiographic evidence of impaired diastolic function but do not have any symptoms of heart failure at rest. In many of these patients, symptoms of diastolic dysfunction occur only during exercise, as left ventricular filling pressure is normal at rest, but increases with exercise. This implies that filling pressures should also be measured during exercise. The diastolic stress test refers to the evaluation of diastolic function, either invasively or noninvasively, during exercise. This review focuses on the clinical need for diastolic stress testing, both invasively and noninvasively.