2.9. Echocardiography
All echocardiographic tests were conducted by the same experienced cardiologist—who was blinded to the participants’ study arm—employing an ultrasound system (Sonosite-Edge, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) equipped with a specific transducer. Following the most updated recommendations, cardiac dimensions, volumes and mass were assessed. A pulsed-wave Doppler was used to determine mitral inflow velocities at the end-expiration. Subsequently, left ventricle diastolic function was planned according to the most recent American Society of Ecocardiography consensus guidelines [