Subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction refers to subtle abnormalities in LV function which typically precede a reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The assessment of myocardial function using LVEF, a radial metric of systolic function, is subject to load dependence, intra-observer and inter-observer variability. Reductions in LVEF typically manifest late in the disease process thus compromising the ability to intervene before irreversible impairment of systolic perfor-mance sets in. 2-Dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), a novel strain imaging modality has shown promise as a sensitive indicator of myocardial contractility. It arms the clinician with a powerful and practical tool to rapidly quantify cardiac mechanics, circumventing several inherent limitations of conventional echocardiography. This article highlights the incremental utility of 2D-STE in the detection of subclinical LV dysfunction.

Objectives To assess the prognostic significance of high vs. low grade coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and the impact of antithrombotic or anticoagulant therapy on adverse cardiac outcomes. Background There is paucity of knowledge on the impact of angiographic characteristics in CAE or that of antithrombotic or anticoagulant therapy on outcomes. Methods and results In this retrospective study, we reviewed angiograms and medical records of all cases of confirmed CAE (2001–2011). Extent of CAE was categorized using the Markis classification. Types 1 and 2 were categorized as high‐grade and types 3 and 4 as low‐grade CAE. Angiographic flow was recorded as normal or sluggish (

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