Figure 2.

Contribution of longitudinal and radial contractions to global systolic RV function in healthy controls and patients undergoing MVR. Before surgery, the longitudinal shortening was the major contributor to global RV function, whereas after MVR, the radial contraction became the dominant component. However, this shift was temporary as 6 months later the contribution of the two components equalized, and the contraction pattern became similar to healthy controls'. ^* P < 0.05, paired Student's t‐test or paired Wilcoxon test. FU, follow‐up; LEFi, longitudinal ejection fraction index; MVR, mitral valve replacement/repair; REFi, radial ejection fraction index; RV, right ventricle.