Alter P, et al. - The association between airway obstruction, lung hyperinflation and diastolic filling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), was examined herein. Researchers observed a significant association of airway obstruction and lung hyperinflation with cardiac diastolic filling in patients with COPD. This suggested a decreased preload rather than an inherently impaired myocardial relaxation itself. This implied that a reduction in obstruction and hyperinflation could help to improve cardiac filling.