Advanced Echocardiographic Imaging Using Speckle-Tracking for Assessment of Cardiac Mechanics

Dear Colleagues,

The landscape of cardiac imaging has undergone exciting and dramatic advancements over the past decade. Within the field of echocardiography, the refinement and application of the speckle-tracking technique have been instrumental in furthering our understanding of fundamental cardiovascular physiology and mechanics, and have proven invaluable in the diagnosis, treatment, and risk stratification of patients across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease. In 2025, there were practice guidelines and scientific statements by the American Society of Echocardiography and American Heart Association supporting the widespread adoption of speckle-tracking echocardiography. This highlights the consistent need for the academic community to build upon this strong foundation, which will undoubtedly impact the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular outcomes of our patients.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight current gaps in evidence, where present, and the impact of speckle-tracking echocardiography on patient management and outcomes. Moreover, articles reporting on the use and effective processing of imaging data (e.g., image report, DICOM data, artificial intelligence) to improve clinical workflow or provide insights into the optimal distribution of imaging services are also requested. The submissions presented in this Special Issue may include review articles, brief editorials, case reports, or original research. This is intended to be multidisciplinary and thus submissions relating to the role of speckle-tracking echocardiography across pediatric, adult, critical care, and perioperative settings are requested.

Dr. Christos G. Mihos
Guest Editor

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