Fig. 2.

Strain and strain curves in one cardiac cycle in the ventricle. a Strain usually peaks during end-systole at aortic valve closure (AVC) and returns to baseline during diastole at mitral valve closure (MVC). b Strain rate usually peaks in mid-systole and returns to baseline at AVC when no deformation occurs. During diastole, the rate of strain returning to baseline is biphasic. MVO mitral valve opening, AVO aortic valve closure, SRe early diastolic strain rate, SRa late diastolic strain rate (during atrial contraction)