Relation between shortness of breath, left ventricular end diastolic pressure and severity of coronary artery disease

The relation of shortness of breath to left ventricular end diastolic pressure and the severity of coronary artery disease was evaluated in 146 patients with normal segmental and global left ventricular systolic performance. None had chronic lung disease, cardiomyopathy, previous myocardial infarction, uncontrolled hypertension or unstable angina pectoris. A strong relationship was found between shortness of breath and elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and a borderline relationship with the severity of coronary disease. Shortness of breath as a clinical symptom indicates diastolic dysfunction in this selected group of patients.