Upper panels: end-systolic circumferential strain is color-coded in the inner half of myocardium. Orange color disappears in the risk area (yellow arrowheads) during coronary occlusion, indicating a near zero end-systolic strain. Middle panels: circumferential strain profiles in the risk (orange line) and the remote (blue line) areas demonstrate post-systolic shortening (PSS) in the risk area during occlusion (red arrows). Although systolic strain recovers to the baseline levels by 10 min after reperfusion, PSS persists until 30 min. Please see Asanuma et al. (page 1) and the Editorial Comment by Belohlavek (page 12) for the related articles and the Editor’s Page by Marwick et al. (page 126).