[Treatment of diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle].

Numerous studies have already recognized the importance of diastole in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure. Non-invasive evaluations are based particularly on echo-Doppler, on radionuclide angiography and on cine-nuclear magnetic resonance: they have enabled an accurate evaluation of diastolic function and dysfunction, although invasive hemodynamic study maintains a gold standard position. All these methods of study have consented the identification of 3 basic components (anatomic and functional): active relaxation, passive elastic relaxation, atrial function. The Authors have identified the causes of diastolic failure with a particular attention to the various components of diastole. They have analyzed the implication of therapy on the basis of a clear understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the underlying cardiac disease.