Click on image to view larger version.

Figure 6 Myocardial deformation as assessed by strain rate imaging. Negative strain indicates shortening and is expressed as the percentage from its initial end-diastolic length (%). Strain curves obtained from six segments show synchronous onset of shortening and peak shortening in a normal individual (left panel). In contrast, a delay in the onset and the peak of lateral wall shortening (yellow curve) is observed in a patient with heart failure and left bundle branch block (right panel). Postsystolic shortening is present in the late activated lateral wall, as indicated by the late negative peak (arrow).