Findings suggestive of diastolic heart failurew18
| • Pronounced hypertension during episode of heart failure (systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure >100 mm Hg) |
| • Echocardiography: concentric left ventricular hypertrophy without wall motion abnormalities, increased relative wall thickness, normal end diastolic volume |
| • Tachycardia with a shortened diastolic filling period (for example, rapid atrial fibrillation) |
| • Precipitation of heart failure by the infusion of a small amount of intravenous fluid |
| • Clinical improvement in response to treatment directed at the cause of diastolic dysfunction (such as lowering blood pressure, reducing heart rate, or restoring the atrial “kick”) |