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Background: This meta‐analysis aims to evaluate the utility of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) as a tool to evaluate for cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) early in its course. Electrocardiography and echocardiography have limited sensitivity in this role, while advanced imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) are limited by cost and availability. Methods: We compiled English language articles that reported left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) or global circumferential strain (GCS) in patients with confirmed extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis versus healthy controls. Studies that exclusively included patients with probable or definite CS were excluded. Continuous data were pooled as a standard mean difference (SMD), comparing sarcoidosis group with healthy controls. A random‐effect model was adopted in all analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q and I2 statistics. Results: Nine studies were included in our final analysis with an aggregate of 967 patients. LVGLS was significantly lower in the extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis group as compared with controls, SMD −3.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): −5.32, −2.64, P <.001, also was significantly lower in patients who suffered major cardiac events (MCE), −3.89, 95% CI −6.14, −1.64, P <.001. GCS was significantly lower in the extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis group as compared with controls, SMD: −3.33, 95% CI −4.71, −1.95, P <.001. Conclusion: LVGLS and GCS were significantly lower in extra‐cardiac sarcoidosis patients despite not exhibiting any cardiac symptoms. LVGLS correlates with MCEs in CS. Further studies are required to investigate the role of STE in the early screening of CS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with worse outcomes. Prediction of RVF is difficult with routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), while speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) showed promising results. We performed systematic review and meta‐analysis of published literature. Methods: We queried multiple databases to compile articles reporting preoperative or intraoperative right ventricle global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) or right ventricle free wall strain (RVFWS) in LVAD recipients. The standard mean difference (SMD) in RVGLS and RVFWS in patients with and without RVF postoperatively was pooled using random‐effects model. Results: Seventeen studies were included. Patients with RVF had significantly lower RVGLS and RVFWS as compared to non‐RVF patients; SMD: 2.79 (95% CI: −4.07 to −1.50; P: <.001) and −3.05 (95% CI: −4.11 to −1.99; P: <.001), respectively. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for RVF per percentage increase of RVGLS and RVFWS were 1.10 (95 CI: 0.98–1.25) and 1.63 (95% CI 1.07–2.47), respectively. In a subgroup analysis, TTE‐derived GLS and FWS were significantly lower in RVF patients as compared to non‐RVF patients; SMD of −3.97 (95% CI: −5.40 to −2.54; P: <.001) and −3.05 (95% CI: −4.11 to −1.99; P: <.001), respectively. There was no significant difference between RVF and non‐RVF groups in TEE‐derived RVGLS and RVFWS. Conclusion: RVGLS and RVFWS were lower in patients who developed RVF as compared to non‐RVF patients. In a subgroup analysis, TTE‐derived RVGLS and RVFWS were reduced in RVF patients as compared to non‐RVF patients. This difference was not reported with TEE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]