Which condition is characterized by impaired diastolic ventricular filling?

The condition that is characterized by impaired diastolic ventricular filling is constrictive pericarditis. This condition occurs when the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart, becomes thickened and fibrotic, restricting the heart's ability to fill properly during diastole. As a result, the ventricles cannot accommodate the normal volume of blood returning from the atria, leading to elevated pressures in the diastolic phase.

In contrast, valve function, systolic ventricular filling, and left atrial filling do not specifically characterize impaired diastolic function. While valve function is critical for maintaining normal hemodynamics, it does not directly relate to diastolic filling issues unless there is valve stenosis or regurgitation in specific scenarios. Systolic ventricular filling refers to the phase when the ventricles contract and push blood out to the body, which is not related to the diastolic filling disturbances. Left atrial filling, while important for overall cardiac function, does not specifically indicate a problem with diastolic filling of the ventricles. Each of these areas addresses different aspects of cardiac functionality rather than the fluid dynamics affected by constrictive pericarditis.