[en] We proposed the new method for analyzing and visualizing the regional strain rate in the left ventricle by MR phase-contrast imaging. First, we extracted the left ventricular midcardium on the short-axis slice from MR intensity images. Next, we generated the velocity fields from MR phase-shift images. Then we could automatically obtain the myocardial fiber shortening and extending velocity at each pixel and visualize the distributions of compressional/shearing strain rate in the left ventricle midcardium. We expect that our new method and developed program are useful for assessing the contractile element of myocardium. (author)