Fig. 3

Myocardial work (MW) was calculated using EchoPAC version 204 (GE Healthcare) after determination of left ventricle (LV) peak global longitudinal strain and construction of a LV pressure curve. The LV pressure curve was derived from non-invasively measured brachial pressure and timing of the cardiac cycles` isovolumetric and ejection phase defined by mitral valve opening and closure. The area of the LV pressure–strain loop was defined as MW

AVC: aortic valve closure, AVO aortic valve opening, MVO: mitral valve opening, MVC: mitral valve closure