Why is diastolic dysfunction important in heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF), and how is echo used to diagnose it?

Why is diastolic dysfunction important in heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF), and how is echo used to diagnose it?

• A. HFpEF stems from diastolic dysfunction and elevated filling pressures; echo uses E/e', LA size, TR velocity, and diastolic indices to estimate filling pressures and HFpEF likelihood.
• B. HFpEF is due to systolic dysfunction; echo uses LVEF only.
• C. HFpEF is unrelated to diastolic function; echo diagnosis uses valve morphology alone.
• D. HFpEF is diagnosed by chest X-ray.

Answer: (A)