Figure 2From: Relationship of phasic left atrial volume and emptying function to left ventricular filling pressure: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance studyIllustrations of left atrial phasic changes on MR cine images during cardiac cycle when atrial size is at the largest during end systole and smallest during end diastole. The left atrial precontractile phase is determined at the late diastole when mitral valve is nearly closed before it opens again after atrial contraction.Back to article page