Left Ventricular Systolic Performance, Function, and Contractility in Patients With Diastolic Heart Failure

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Abstract
Background— Patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) have significant abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, including slow and delayed relaxation and increased chamber stiffness. Whether and to what extent these abnormalities in diastolic function occur in association with abnormalities in LV systolic performance, function, and contractility has not been investigated thoroughly. Methods and Results— The systolic properties of the LV were examined in 75 patients with heart failure and a normal ejection fraction (ie, DHF) and 75 normal control subjects with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. LV systolic properties were assessed with echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization data. Stroke work (an index of LV systolic performance), preload recruitable stroke work and ejection fraction (indices of LV systolic function), systolic stress-shortening relationship, end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, and peak (+)dP/dt (indices of LV contractility) were examined. The systolic p...