Echocardiographic phases of ventricular filling have been described as
early (E) and late, or atrial (A). The latter is of course dependent upon atrial
contraction and therefore is absent in atrial fibrillation. Characteristically,
when diastolic dysfunction is present, a greater portion of end-diastolic
volume is the result of late filling rather than early filling. Thus the E/A ratio
is reduced in diastolic dysfunction.
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