Figure 5

LV longitudinal strain rate during a cardiac cycle. Positive strain rate values correspond to LV lenthening, where negative values indicate LV shortening. This figure demonstrates a progressive rate of longitudinal shortening with the onset of rapid ejection (phase 2), followed by a relatively constant shorthening rate throughout the rest of the rapid and reduced ejection phases. Ventricular repolarizatioin was followed by a sudden drop in longitudinal shortening with a subsequent peak of longitudinal lenthening in early diastole. a - peak systolic longitudinal strain rate, b - sudden drop in longitudinal shortening rate after repolarization, c - peak diastolic longitudinal strain rate.