Diastolic Dysfunction in Congestive Heart Failure

Jeffrey S. Flier, M.D., Editor Lisa H. Underhill, Assistant Editor So that the coming together depends on the going apart; the systole depends on the diastole; the flow depends on the ebb. — D.H. LawrenceThe terms "heart failure" and "congestive heart failure" are often used interchangeably, emphasizing the importance of congestion in the clinical presentation of patients with heart failure. Congestive manifestations, such as pulmonary or peripheral edema, distended neck veins, dyspnea, and orthopnea, almost invariably indicate elevated right or left ventricular filling pressures. These increased filling pressures may result from primary systolic failure, with passive backup of blood . . .