Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

What is an indicator of diastolic dysfunction?

1. Increased compliance of the left ventricle

2. Scar tissue presence in the ventricle

3. Elevated ejection fraction

4. Effective ventricular filling during systole

The correct answer is: Scar tissue presence in the ventricle

Diastolic dysfunction relates to the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood properly during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. When evaluating indicators of diastolic dysfunction, certain characteristics emerge that help provide a clearer picture of the heart's performance during this phase. Scar tissue presence in the ventricle is significant as it indicates fibrotic changes that can impair the heart muscle's capacity to stretch and fill adequately during diastole. When the heart muscle becomes stiff due to scarring, it becomes less compliant, leading to difficulties in ventricular filling. This reduced compliance is a hallmark of diastolic dysfunction and can elevate pressures within the heart, impacting overall heart function. Conversely, increased compliance of the left ventricle would suggest better diastolic function, as the ventricle can easily fill with blood. Elevated ejection fraction typically suggests good systolic function but does not necessarily indicate diastolic function and may not correlate directly with filling pressures. Lastly, effective ventricular filling during systole is not an indicator of diastolic dysfunction, as this pertains primarily to the contraction and emptying phase of the heart. Therefore, the presence of scar tissue is a clear indicator of diastolic dysfunction, highlighting the structural changes