[Diastolic dysfunction: its importance to anesthesiologists.].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Until recently, heart failure was primarily viewed as an event affecting heart contractility. However recently, after the recognition that several patients with classic signs and symptoms of heart failure had normal systolic function, left ventricular diastolic function is receiving major attention. The increase in populations life expectancy, surgical and anesthetic techniques improvements of the high prevalence of risk factors are increasing the number of patients with diastolic failure or dysfunction being referred to surgery and anesthesia. This article aims at reviewing diastolic dysfunction definition, causes, prevalence, diagnosis, management and anesthetic implications. CONTENTS Left ventricular diastolic function and its importance to anesthesiologists are described. CONCLUSIONS There are no proven benefits of an anesthetic technique over the others. Primary anesthetic goals are to maintain normal volume status and sinusoidal rhythm, in addition to preventing tachycardia, arterial hypertension and ventricular ischemia. Beta-blockers are the drugs more frequently used to meet these goals.