What echocardiographic feature is often assessed to evaluate diastolic function?

The assessment of the E/A ratio of ventricular filling velocities is critical in evaluating diastolic function. This ratio compares the early (E) diastolic filling velocity to the late (A) diastolic filling velocity, reflecting the flow of blood into the ventricles. A normal E/A ratio typically indicates healthy diastolic function, while alterations in this ratio can indicate different stages of diastolic dysfunction. For example, a decreased E/A ratio is commonly seen in patients with impaired relaxation, whereas a ratio greater than 1.0 can indicate elevated filling pressures, often associated with heart failure.

Other echocardiographic features such as ventricular mass, aortic diameter, and valve closure times are important for evaluating various cardiac conditions but do not specifically indicate diastolic function. Ventricular mass is more related to myocardial hypertrophy and overall heart size. Aortic diameter assesses the dimensions of the aorta and can indicate aortic conditions, while valve closure times may relate to valvular function but do not directly reflect the diastolic filling process. Thus, the E/A ratio serves as a focused and meaningful measure for assessing diastolic function.