Normal left ventricular hemodynamics

Top panel shows left ventricular (LV) volume versus time while the bottom panel shows the rate of change of LV volume (dV/dt). The cardiac cycle begins at end diastole (*). With the onset of systole, the LV volume decreases and reaches its minimum at end systole. Diastole, which begins at this point, has three distinct phases: rapid filling phase (RFP) during which the LV fills rapidly, dV/dt reaches its maximum, and the peak filling rate occurs; diastasis (D) during which there is little change in LV volume; and atrial systole (AS) in which active atrial contraction fills the LV which attains its end diastolic volume. Important diastolic parameters include the peak filling rate, the time to peak filling rate (TPFR), the percent contribution of atrial systole, and the first third filling fraction.