Figure 1

Method for the calculation of left ventricular diastolic function. Upper row, the volume-time curve of the left ventricle; bottom row, the first derivative curve of the volume-time curve. ES indicates the end of systole, and ED indicates the end of diastole. In the first derivative curve, the first appeared peak was defined as the early filling rate (E-rate) and the second peak as the late filling rate (A-rate). The time from the end of systole to E-rate was defined as the time to early filling (TEF). The time from the E-rate to the A-rate peak (TEA) was also obtained.