International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences. 05/nov/2025;38:e20250113.
Defining Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE); used to Diagnose Systolic Subclinical Dysfunction
Janita Shabbir
, Aamna Ahmed
, Alwina Shabbir
, Manahil Bahrawar
, Ahmad Akhtar
We read with great interest the article, “Systolic Subclinical Dysfunction in Anabolic Steroid Users: A Real-Life Study,” published in April 2025. The author used myocardial work analysis and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to assess and detect early systolic dysfunction in bodybuilders using anabolic steroids. While the term myocardial work analysis was defined, the author did not provide a definition for STE. According to the author, “Myocardial work analysis is a recent technique that incorporates left ventricular (LV) afterload data into global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis. In addition to correlating with myocardial oxygen consumption, myocardial work enables the analysis of LV efficiency, proving to be a highly effective technique for ventricular performance analysis.” We commend the author for clarifying the decision to forgo conventional echocardiography, acknowledging that normal echocardiographic parameters do not rule out the presence of subclinical ventricular dysfunction on two-dimensional echocardiography.
We would like to provide a definition of STE to enhance conceptual clarity for readers.
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