“…Second, despite the data supporting further echocardiographic (global longitudinal strain, stroke volume index) and biochemical markers (such as B-type natriuretic peptide, albumin) incorporated in the modified versions of the initial cardiac damage staging classification, such risk markers were not used across all the included studies, limiting a pooled analysis of such variables. 9 , 11 , 12 , 52 , 53 Third, interval classification of cardiac damage staging during follow-up was not present in the majority of the included studies. Hence, we could not identify if the patients’ corresponding cardiac damage stage improved or worsened over follow-up.…”