Force- and relaxation-frequency relations in patients with diastolic heart failure

In patients with DHF, the force-frequency relation was preserved, but the relaxation-frequency relation was impaired. Furthermore, LV-arterial coupling was impaired as heart rate increased, which may be related to the impaired LV function. These results suggest that the impaired relaxation-frequency relation and exacerbated LV-arterial coupling during tachycardia may be an important therapeutic target in patients with DHF.