Unmasking Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies
Konstantina Vlasopoulou, Αndreas Synetos, Nikolaos Ktenopoulos, Odysseas Katsaros, Leonidas Koliastasis, Anastasiοs Apostolos, Maria Drakopoulou, Konstantinos Tοutouzas, Konstantinos Tsioufis
Abstract
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is characterized by impaired ventricular relaxation and increased chamber stiffness during diastole, resulting in increased left ventricular filling pressures. It represents a highly prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed cardiac condition with significant clinical implications, serving as a major contributor to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), particularly among elderly individuals and those with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, or coronary artery disease. Multiple studies have identified the progression of LVDD as a marker of adverse prognosis, associated with increased morbidity and mortality, highlighting the importance of early recognition and targeted therapeutic strategies to improve diastolic function and clinical outcomes. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, current diagnostic strategies, and treatment options for LVDD, emphasizing its importance in clinical practice.