Doppler echocardiography diagnosis in heart failure]

The evaluation of heart failure is one of the most common reasons for echocardiography in the adult population. Within this context, Doppler echocardiography as a noninvasive diagnostic procedure is able to provide immediate and relevant information on functional and structural changes underlying the clinical syndrome of heart failure. Analysis comprises global left- and right-ventricular systolic function, regional wall motion and diastolic function. Evidence of normal systolic left-ventricular function has been reported in up to 30% of the patients with clinical signs of heart failure, suggesting abnormal diastolic function as the origin for the symptoms of heart failure. Therefore, noninvasive assessment of heart failure by Doppler echocardiography must include analysis of systolic as well as diastolic left-ventricular function.