Objective To evaluate the Doppler tissue imaging(DTI) in determining the global left ventricular diastolic function. Methods Sixty-seven patients with global left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were divided into three groups. The peak diastolic velocities of the mitral annulus were measured by DTI and patterns of the trans-mitral flow and pulmonary venous flow were detected by pulsed Doppler. Thirty-six healthy volunteers were assigned as the control group. Results The early peak diastolic velocities of the mitral annulus were significantly different (F=11.67,P0.01). Conclusion The early peak diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus measured by DTI can precisely diagnose the global left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.