[Effects of underwater massage douche on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with chronic cardiac failure and postinfarction cardiosclerosis]. / Vliianie podvodnogo dusha-massazha na diastolicheskuiu funktsiiu levogo zheludochka u bol'nykh s khronicheskoi serdechnoi nedostatochnost'iu i postinfarktnym kardiosklerozom.

78 patients with postmyocardial infarction cardiosclerosis and moderate chronic cardiac failure (NYHA functional class 0-2) were given standard medication (enalapril, aspirin, atenolol) and took underwater massage douche. The effects of the latter on diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricular myocardium were studied. The above hydrotherapy changed parameters of left ventricular diastolic filling in 64% of the examinees: in 40% these parameters improved, in 23%--deteriorated. Clinical and device criteria essential for hydrotherapy outcomes are described.