Addressing Diastolic Dysfunction in the Congenital Heart Population.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent advances in the evaluation of diastolic dysfunction and management considerations in the unique congenital heart disease population.

RECENT FINDINGS: Diastolic dysfunction is prevalent in a number of congenital lesions. Non-invasive assessment methods have varying applicability depending on the specific lesion. Lesions with a systemic left ventricle can likely be accurately assessed with traditional echocardiographic techniques while higher complexity lesions may be better suited to emerging techniques including 4D-flow cardiac MRI and analysis of late gadolinium enhancement. Diagnosis and management are tailored to the individual patient and include surveillance, medication, lifestyle modification and occasionally device therapy. Diastolic dysfunction is increasingly recognized across the spectrum of the expanding, aging congenital heart population. Ongoing study of the unique mechanisms in individual lesions is needed to determine how best to assess for and intervene upon this pathology.