Heart failure with normal systolic function

Approximately 30% to 50% of patients with heart failure are reported to have a normal or nearly normal left ventricular systolic function [1-7]. This condition has been labeled diastolic heart failure (DHF), and shares several characteristics with systolic heart failure, including reduced exercise performance, neuroendocrine activation, reduced quality of life [8], and a considerably increased mortality risk [1,9]. In this chapter, we will review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of DHF. Treatment of DHF is discussed in Chapter 17.