Diastolic Dysfunction of the Left Ventricle as a «time Bomb» in the Perioperative Period

Abstract

Despite of the growing number of patients, the understanding of diastolic dysfunction (DD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still not sufficient. The pathophysiological mechanisms of HFpEF are not fully investigated. The mortality rate among patients suffering from heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is the same as among patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. At the moment, the diagnosis and treatment of patients with HFpEF has not been optimized despite these alarming trends. Echocardiography is the main diagnostic tool. The identification of clinically significant echocardiographic changes, even without an evident clinical picture, can contribute to a change in the patient's treatment plan or a revision of surgical tactics and anesthetic management.