The analysis of myocardial deformation (strain) using speckle tracking technology in echocardiography is no longer something new and innovative. Several years have passed since its validation. Compared to left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a more accurate assessment of systolic function, important in several situations, such as cardio-oncology, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and ischemic heart disease. It is more accurate and reproducible data, is closely correlated with prognosis, and is currently available in most echocardiogram machines. […]

Atrial fibrillation is currently recognized as a medical condition associated with clinically relevant symptoms, worse prognosis, and increased medical costs. Atrial fibrillation does not seem to be a homogenous disease but presents significant variability in terms of epidemiology, clinical presentation, risk factors, access to treatment, and prognosis. Understanding regional, social, and ethnic variations is thus of paramount importance. It is estimated that more than 33 million individuals worldwide are affected with atrial fibrillation, and the prevalence is expected to grow […]