scholarly journals From talented child to elite athlete: The development of cardiac morphology and function in a cohort of endurance athletes from age 12 to 18

2020 ◽  
pp. 204748732092131
Author(s):  
Anders W Bjerring ◽  
Hege EW Landgraff ◽  
Svein Leirstein ◽  
Kristina H Haugaa ◽  
Thor Edvardsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing ◽  
Left Atrial Volume ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Athlete’S Heart ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Athlete's Heart

Background Adult athletes undergo cardiac adaptions in what is known as the “athlete’s heart”. Cardiac adaptations in young athletes have not been described in longitudinal studies but have previously been believed to be uniform in nature. Methods Seventy-six cross-country skiers were assessed at age 12. Forty-eight (63%) completed the first follow-up at age 15 and 36 (47%) the second follow-up at age 18. Comprehensive exercise data were collected. Echocardiography with three-dimensional measurements and cardiopulmonary exercise testing were performed at all time points. The cohort was divided into active and former endurance athletes, with an eight hours of weekly endurance exercise cut-off at age 18. Results The athletes underwent eccentric remodelling between ages 12 and 15, and concentric remodelling between ages 15 and 18. At age 18, the active endurance athletes had greater increases in inter-ventricular wall thickness (1.8 ± 1.4 Δmm vs 0.6 ± 1.0 Δmm, p < 0.05), left ventricular (LV) posterior wall thickness (1.6 ± 1.2 Δmm vs 0.8 ± 0.8 Δmm, p < 0.05), LV mass (63 ± 30 Δg vs 27 ± 21 Δg, p < 0.01), right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic area (3.4 ± 4.0 Δcm2 vs 0.6 ± 3.5Δ cm2, p < 0.05), RV end-systolic area (1.0 ± 2.3 Δcm2 vs –0.9 ± 2.0 Δcm2, p < 0.05) and left atrial volume (24 ± 21 ΔmL vs 6±10 ΔmL, p < 0.05) and had greater indexed maximal oxygen uptake (66.3 ± 7.4 mL/min/kg vs 57.1 ± 8.2 mL/min/kg, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference for LV volumes. Conclusion This study finds a shift in the development of the young athlete’s heart. Between ages 12 and 15, the active endurance athletes underwent eccentric remodelling. This dynamic switched to concentric remodelling between ages 15 and 18.

Is alcohol septal ablation in women performed too late?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Batzner ◽  
D Aicha ◽  
H Seggewiss
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Pacemaker Implantation ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Icd Implantation ◽  
Alcohol Septal Ablation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Surgical Myectomy

Abstract Introduction Alcohol septal ablation (PTSMA) was introduced as interventional alternative to surgical myectomy for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) 25 years ago. As gender differences in diagnosis and treatment of HOCM are still unclear we analyzed baseline characteristics and results of PTSMA in a large single center cohort with respect to gender. Methods and results Between 05/2000 and 06/2017 first PTSMA in our center was performed in 952 patients with symptomatic HOCM. We treated less 388 (40.8%) women and 564 (59.2%) men. All patients underwent clinical follow-up. At the time of the intervention women were older (61.2±14.9 vs. 51.9±13.7 years; p&lt;0.0001) and suffered more often from NYHA grade III/IV dyspnea (80.9% vs. 68.1%; p&lt;0.0001), whereas angina pectoris was comparable in women (62.4%) and men (59.9%). Echocardiographic baseline gradients were comparable in women (rest 65.0±38.1 mmHg and Valsalva 106.2±45.7 mmHg) and men (rest 63.1±38.3 mmHg and Valsalva 103.6±42.8 mmHg). But, women had smaller diameters of the left atrium (44.3±6.9 vs. 47.2±6.5 mm; p&lt;0001), maximal septum thickness (20.4±3.9 vs. 21.4±4.5 mm; p&lt;0.01), and maximal thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall (12.7±2.8 vs. 13.5±2.9 mm; p&lt;0.0001). In women, more septal branches (1.3±0.6 vs. 1.2±0.5; p&lt;0.05) had to be tested to identify the target septal branch. The amount of injected alcohol was comparable (2.0±0, 4 in women vs. 2.1±0.4 ml in men). The maximum CK increase was lower in women (826.0±489.6 vs. 903.4±543.0 U / l; p&lt;0.05). During hospital stay one woman and one man died, each (n.s.). The frequency of total AV blocks in the cathlab showed no significant difference between women (41.5%) and men (38.3%). Furthermore, the rate of permanent pacemaker implantation during hospital stay did not differ (12.1% in women vs. 9.4% in men). Follow-up periods of all patients showed no significant difference between women (5.7±4.9 years) and men (6.2±5.0 years). Overall, 37 (9.5%) women died during this period compared to only 33 (5.9%) men (p&lt;0.05). But, cardiovascular causes of death were not significantly different between women (2.8%) and men (1.6%). Furthermore, the rates of surgical myectomy after failed PTSMA (1.3% in women vs. 2.3% in men), ICD implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death according to current guidelines (4.1% in women vs. 5.9% in men) or pacemaker implantation (3.6% in women vs. 2.0% in men) showed no significant differences. Summary PTSMA in women with HOCM was performed at more advanced age with more pronounced symptoms compared to men. While there were no differences in acute outcomes, overall long-term mortality was higher in women without differences in cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, women may require more intensive diagnostic approaches in order not to miss the correct time for gradient reduction treatment. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Abstract 12760: Left Ventricular (LV) Remodeling in Aortic Regurgitation Differs From Athlete’s Heart With Similar LV Volumes and is Closely Related to Different Fiber Stress Distribution

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaspar Broch ◽  
Stefano deMarchi ◽  
Richard Massey ◽  
Svend Aakhus ◽  
Lars Gullestad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Distribution ◽  
Aortic Regurgitation ◽  
Strain Curve ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Athlete’S Heart ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Fiber Stress ◽  
Lv Remodeling ◽  
Lv Volumes ◽  
Athlete's Heart

Introduction: Elite endurance athletes often develop left ventricular dilatation comparable to that observed in aortic regurgitation (AR). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the LV remodeling observed in athlete’s heart differs from that seen in AR, and that the difference may be attributed to different fiber stress distribution. Methods: Thirty asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe AR, 15 age matched elite endurance athletes (Athl) and 17 age matched healthy controls (C) where analyzed with 3D speckle tracking echocardiography. We calculated the ratio between peak systolic circumferential (CS) - and peak systolic longitudinal strain (LS) and end-systolic (ES) circumferential (ESSc) and meridional (ESSm) fiber stress. Results: LV ejection fraction in C, Athl and AR patients was (61 ± 2, 61 ± 3 and 62 ± 3%, respectively, p=NS). LV end-diastolic volume was 78 ± 11, 112 ± 13 and 117 ± 20 ml/m 2 in C, Athl and AR, respectively, (C vs AR and Athl, p<0.01, AR vs Athl, p=NS). A non-uniform contraction pattern with a rightward shift of the LS strain curve was observed in AR (Figure 1). The CS/LS ratio was 0.91 ± 0.11, 0.91 ± 0.16 and 1.12 ± 0.24 in C, Athl and AR, respectively, (AR vs C and Athl, p<0.01, C vs Athl, p=NS). Consistently, the ESSc/ESSm ratio was similar in C and Athl (1.75 ± 0.08 and 1.74 ± 0.07, respectively, p=NS) and lower in AR patients (1.67 ± 0.07, AR vs C and Athl, p<0.01), indicating a relative increase in meridional fiber stress in the AR group (Figure 2). Conclusions: We have demonstrated that LV remodeling in AR patients differs from athlete’s heart with similar LV volumes, and may be attributed to a shift in the circumferential-meridional fiber stress ratio in AR patients.

Cardiovascular adaptation to exercise and sport: (according to type of sport, gender, and ethnicity)

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 2913-2916
Author(s):  
Michael Papadakis ◽  
Sanjay Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Female Athletes ◽  
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Athlete’S Heart ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Physiological Adaptation ◽  
Imaging Studies ◽  
Eccentric Hypertrophy ◽  
Athlete's Heart ◽  
Adaptation To Exercise

‘Athlete’s heart’ is associated with several structural and electrophysiological adaptations, which are reflected on the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and imaging studies. Most studies investigating cardiac remodelling in athletes are based on cohorts of white, adult, male athletes competing in the most popular sports. Evidence suggests, however, that sporting discipline and the athlete’s gender and ethnicity are important determinants of cardiovascular adaptation to exercise. Athletes competing in endurance sports demonstrate more pronounced adaptations in comparison to athletes performing static or resistance training. The ECG of endurance athletes is more likely to demonstrate repolarization anomalies in the anterior leads and ventricular dilatation on imaging studies, causing considerable overlap with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Female athletes exhibit less pronounced adaptations compared to males, in terms of the prevalence of ECG changes and absolute cardiac dimensions. Importantly, female endurance athletes are more likely to demonstrate eccentric hypertrophy compared to males, suggesting that concentric remodelling or hypertrophy in female endurance athletes is unlikely to be the consequence of physiological adaptation to training. The most pronounced paradigm of ethnically distinct cardiovascular adaptation to exercise stems from black athletes, who exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of repolarization anomalies and left ventricular hypertrophy compared to white athletes, making the differentiation between athlete’s heart and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy challenging in this ethnic group.

scholarly journals The developing athlete's heart: a cohort study in young athletes transitioning through adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (18) ◽  
pp. 2001-2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders W Bjerring ◽  
Hege EW Landgraff ◽  
Thomas M Stokke ◽  
Klaus Murbræch ◽  
Svein Leirstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Endurance Training ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Uptake ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Relative Wall Thickness ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Cardiac Morphology ◽  
Athlete's Heart

Background Athlete's heart is a term used to describe physiological changes in the hearts of athletes, but its early development has not been described in longitudinal studies. This study aims to improve our understanding of the effects of endurance training on the developing heart. Methods Cardiac morphology and function in 48 cross-country skiers were assessed at age 12 years (12.1 ± 0.2 years) and then again at age 15 years (15.3 ± 0.3 years). Echocardiography was performed in all subjects including two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain echocardiography and three-dimensional echocardiography. All participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing at both ages 12 and 15 years to assess maximal oxygen uptake and exercise capacity. Results Thirty-one (65%) were still active endurance athletes at age 15 years and 17 (35%) were not. The active endurance athletes had greater indexed maximal oxygen uptake (62 ± 8 vs. 57 ± 6 mL/kg/min, P < 0.05) at follow-up. There were no differences in cardiac morphology at baseline. At follow-up the active endurance athletes had greater three-dimensional indexed left ventricular end-diastolic (84 ± 11 mL/m2 vs. 79 ± 10 mL/m2, P < 0.05) and end-systolic volumes (36 ± 6 mL/m2 vs. 32 ± 3 mL/m2, P < 0.05). Relative wall thickness fell in the active endurance athletes, but not in those who had quit (–0.05 ΔmL/m2 vs. 0.00 mL/m2, P = 0.01). Four active endurance athletes had relative wall thickness above the upper reference values at baseline; all had normalised at follow-up. Conclusion After an initial concentric remodelling in the pre-adolescent athletes, those who continued their endurance training developed eccentric changes with chamber dilatation and little change in wall thickness. Those who ceased endurance training maintained a comparable wall thickness, but did not develop chamber dilatation.

P2839The golden age of ablation: results for atypical flutter ablation in the very elderly

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Lozano-Granero ◽  
J Moreno ◽  
R Matia ◽  
A Hernandez-Madrid ◽  
I Sanchez-Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Median Survival ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Left Atrial Volume ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Atrial Arrhythmias ◽  
Atrial Volume ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Introduction Atypical flutter ablation (AFL) is a challenging procedure with limited long-term benefits and not exempt from significant risks. Purpose To compare the efficacy and safety of this procedure in a population of octogenarian patients over a population of younger patients. Methods From 2015 to 2018, all patients in which AFL ablation was attempted were included. Activation and voltage mapping were used to define AFL circuit. Radiofrequency lesions were performed to operator's discretion until AFL termination. Programmed atrial stimulation was repeated to test inducibility, and any sustained induced arrhythmia was ablated. Follow-up included visits with ECG and/or 24h Holter-ECG at 3 and 12 months. Results 107 patients (55 females) were included, 26 (24%) aged 80 or older (table). Successful ablation of the original circuit was achieved in 96% in both groups (acute success rate, p=0.973), with induction of other AFL circuits in 43% (46% octogenarians, 42% younger, p=0.708), successfully ablated in 88% in both groups (total success rate, p=0.952). No significant difference was detected in the rate of adverse events (8% in octogenarians versus 7% in younger, p=0.962), with a case of cardiac tamponade in the former, successfully resolved. After a mean follow-up of 11±12 months, 52 patients (49%) were free from recurrence, 13 (50%) in the octogenarian group and 39 (48%) in the younger, with an estimated median survival free from atrial arrhythmias of 26 months (95% CI: 4–48) in the octogenarian group and 18 months (95% CI: 5–32) in the younger group (p=0.716). After multivariate analysis, history of prior AF and indexed left atrial volume, but not age, predicted recurrence. Demographical and clinical variables All patients (n=107) Octogenarians (n=26) No octogenarians (n=81) p-value Age (years) 69±13 83±3 65±11 <0.0001* Cardiomyopathy (%) 54 (50%) 13 (26%) 41 (51%) 0.956 Left ventricular ejection fraction (%) 60±13 57±17 61±11 0.24 Indexed left atrial volume (ml/m2) 45±19 48±14 43±19 0.55 Prior AF history 49 (46%) 7 (27%) 42 (52%) 0.026* Prior ablation procedures 53 (50%) 8 (31%) 45 (56%) 0.028* Prior cardiac surgery 30 (28%) 2 (8%) 28 (35%) 0.008* Left AFL origin (%) 87 (81%) 24 (92%) 63 (78%) 0.098 *Statistically significant difference. Survival function Conclusion AFL ablation was as effective and safe in octogenarian as in younger ones, with a median survival time free from atrial arrhythmias of more than 2 years.

Complete dexrazoxane cardioprotection for cardiac function but incomplete female cardioprotection for cardiac structure in doxorubicin-treated osteosarcoma survivors: Hearts too small for the body.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10519-10519
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Kopp ◽  
Mark L. Bernstein ◽  
Cindy L. Schwartz ◽  
David Ebb ◽  
Vivian L Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Systolic Function ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Lv Systolic Function ◽  
Trastuzumab Cardiotoxicity

10519 Background: Dexrazoxane is protective for lower-dose doxorubicin ( < 300 mg/m2) cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer, but the effect of dexrazoxane (DXRZ) administered with higher-dose (HD) doxorubicin (DOXO) is unknown. Methods: We evaluated patients from Children’s Oncology Group trials for localized (P9754) and metastatic (AOST0121) osteosarcoma (OS) who received HD DOXO (375-600 mg/m2) preceded by DXRZ (10:1 ratio), methotrexate, and cisplatin; some also received ifosfamide alone or ifosfamide/etoposide ± trastuzumab. Cardiotoxicity was identified by echocardiography and by serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations. Results: 81 DXRZ -treated OS patients ( age at enrollment = 13.7 years; range 3.8 - 23.7 years) had normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function as measured by LV fractional shortening and no heart failure. Female sex and longer follow-up since DOXO were associated with a significantly smaller LV dimension z-score normalized to BSA (μ = -1.20, 95%CI [-1.70, -0.70]). Similarly, in the one-third of patients treated > 81 days after minimal expected treatment (groups equally partitioned by time), significantly thinner LV posterior wall thickness for BSA (μ = -0.57, [-1.05, -0.09]) was found. Interventricular septal wall thickness (μ = -0.84, [-1.2, -0.48]) and LV mass (μ = -0.73, [-1.06, -0.40]) were significantly smaller for BSA than normal for both sexes. For females, these became significantly more abnormal with increasing length of follow-up. Females also showed progressive increases in NT-proBNP. Conclusions: DXRZ is cardioprotective for HD DOXO in terms of LV function and heart failure. Females had progressive abnormalities of LV structure, leading to smaller hearts for body size. This was associated with increasing cardiac stress, as measured by NT-proBNP. DXRZ protection was incomplete for HD DOXO effects on LV structure, resulting in higher LV stress and risk for late LV dysfunction. DXRZ should continue to be used in this population, including for females who exhibit more cardiotoxicity than males at specific cumulative DOXO doses.

scholarly journals P1507 Early and late morphological changes in the athlete"s heart: a longitudinal cohort study in young elite athletes

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A W Bjerring ◽  
H E W Landgraff ◽  
S Leirstein ◽  
M Lihagen ◽  
M Skei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endurance Training ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Relative Wall Thickness ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
P Value ◽  
Vo2 Max ◽  
Former Athletes ◽  
Athlete's Heart

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority OnBehalf Center for Cardiological Innovation Background Recent studies have suggested an initial concentric remodelling in the early development of the athlete’s heart in endurance athletes. However, the development from the early to the fully developed endurance athlete’s heart has not been described in longitudinal studies. Aims This study aims to explore the morphological changes occurring in hearts of young endurance athletes transitioning through adolescence. Methods Forty-eight cross-country skiers were examined at age 12 (12.1 ± 0.2 years) and then again at age 15 (15.3 ± 0.3 years). Cardiopulmonary exercise test and echocardiography, including 3D acquisitions, was performed in all subjects at both baseline and follow-up. Results At follow-up, 31 (65%) of the endurance athletes were still active and 17 (35%) were not. No differences in cardiac morphology were identified at baseline. At 15 years of age, the active endurance athletes had greater VO2 max, 3D indexed left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (Table). Relative wall thickness (RWT) decreased in the active endurance athletes during follow-up (0.35 ± 0.05 to 0.31 ± 0.04, p &lt; 0.001), but not in the former athletes. Four active endurance athletes had RWT above the upper reference values at baseline; at follow up, all had normalized. Conclusion After an early concentric remodeling in the 12 years old athletes, those who continued regular endurance training developed eccentric changes with chamber dilatation and a drop in RWT. In contrast, those who ceased endurance training maintained a comparable wall thickness, but did not develop chamber dilatation nor experience a drop in RWT. Baseline Follow-up Active athletes (n = 31) Former athletes (n = 17) p-value Active athletes (n = 31) Former athletes (n = 17) p-value VO2 max, indexed 65 ± 7 63 ± 7 0.33 62 ± 8 57 ± 6 &lt;0.05 Interventricular septum thickness, mm 7.9 ± 0.8 7.8 ± 1.0 0.54 8.1 ± 1.2 7.8 ± 0.9 0.41 LV end-diastolic diameter, mm/m2 2.1 ± 0.3 2.0 ± 0.3 0.60 3.0 ± 0.2 2.9 ± 0.2 0.34 LV poster wall thickness, mm 7.3 ± 0.9 6.8 ± 0.9 0.07 7.8 ± 1.2 8.1 ± 1.2 0.42 3D LV end-diastolic volume, mL/m2 76 ± 8 74 ± 8 0.89 84 ± 11 79 ± 10 &lt;0.05 3D LV end-systolic volume, mL/m2 33 ± 4 33 ± 4 0.99 36 ± 6 32 ± 3 &lt;0.05 3D LV ejection fraction, % 56 ± 3 56 ± 3 0.93 58 ± 3 59 ± 2 0.52 3D LV Mass/BSA, g/m2 69 ± 7 71 ± 4 0.57 76 ± 11 74 ± 6 0.19 Relative wall thickness 0.35 ± 0.05 0.33 ± 0.05 0.12 0.31 ± 0.04 0.33 ± 0.05 0.05 Data expressed as mean ± SD. P-values calculated using the Student"s paired t-test. Volumes are indexed to body surface area.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in athletes: How to differentiate between hypertensive heart disease and athlete’s heart

2020 ◽  
pp. 204748732091185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavio D’Ascenzi ◽  
Caterina Fiorentini ◽  
Francesca Anselmi ◽  
Sergio Mondillo
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Left Ventricular Mass ◽  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Hypertensive Heart Disease ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Athlete’S Heart ◽  
Ventricular Mass ◽  
Competitive Athletes ◽  
Athlete's Heart

Athlete’s heart is typically accompanied by a remodelling of the cardiac chambers induced by exercise. However, although competitive athletes are commonly considered healthy, they can be affected by cardiac disorders characterised by an increase in left ventricular mass and wall thickness, such as hypertension. Unfortunately, training-induced increase in left ventricular mass, wall thickness, and atrial and ventricular dilatation observed in competitive athletes may mimic the pathological remodelling of pathological hypertrophy. As a consequence, distinguishing between athlete’s heart and hypertension can sometimes be challenging. The present review aimed to focus on the differential diagnosis between hypertensive heart disease and athlete’s heart, providing clinical information useful to distinguish between physiological and pathological remodelling.

scholarly journals Cardiac Remodeling in Elite Aquatic Sport Athletes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra M Coates ◽  
Christian P Cheung ◽  
Katharine D Currie ◽  
Trevor James King ◽  
Margo L Mountjoy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Posterior Wall ◽  
Elevated Pressure ◽  
Athlete’S Heart ◽  
Cardiac Structure ◽  
Concentric Geometry ◽  
Pressure Stress ◽  
Athlete's Heart ◽  
Pressure Driven

Background: The “athlete’s heart” has been well characterized, and it is known that remodeling is dependent on the nature of the hemodynamic-stimuli. Aquatic-athletes are exposed to hydrostatic pressures, postural anomalies, and breath-holds that likely drive distinct cardiac adaptation; however, the aquatic-athlete’s heart has not been specifically interrogated. The aim of this investigation was to characterize and compare the sport-specific cardiac structure of elite aquatic-athletes. Methods: Ninety athletes at the 2019 FINA World Championships from swimming (SW:20M/17F), water-polo (WP:21M/9F), and artistic swimming (AS:23F) volunteered for echocardiographic assessment of cardiac structure. Results: Male SW displayed primarily eccentric volume-driven remodeling, while male WP had a greater incidence of pressure-driven concentric geometry (SW:5%, WP:25%) with elevated relative wall-thickness (RWT) (SW:0.35±0.04, WP:0.44±0.08, P&lt;0.001). Female SW and WP hearts were similar with primarily eccentric-remodeling, but SW and WP had greater concentricity index than artistic swimmers (SW:6.74±1.45g/(ml)2/3, WP:6.80±1.24g/(ml)2/3, AS:5.52±1.08g/(ml)2/3, P=0.007). AS had normal geometry, but with increased posterior-wall specific RWT (SW:0.32±0.05, AS:0.42±0.11, P=0.004) and greater left atrial area than SW (SW:9.7±0.9cm2/m2, AS:11.0±1.1cm2/m2, P=0.003). All females had greater incidence of wall-thickness ≥11mm than typically reported (SW:24%, WP:11%, AS:17%). Conclusion: Male athletes presented classic sport-specific differentiation, with SW demonstrating primarily volume-driven eccentric remodelling, and WP with greater concentric geometry indicative of pressure-driven remodeling. Female SW and WP did not display this divergence, likely due to sex-differences in adaptation. AS had unique LV-specific adaptations suggesting elevated pressure under low-volume conditions. The overall incidence of elevated wall-thickness in female athletes may point to an aquatic-specific pressure stress.

'Athlete's Heart' in Prepubertal Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 800-804
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Rowland ◽  
Brian C. Delaney ◽  
Steven F. Siconolfi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Examination ◽  
Left Ventricular Volume ◽  
Volume Overload ◽  
Ventricular Volume ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Athlete’S Heart ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Routine Clinical Examination ◽  
Ecg Alterations ◽  
Athlete's Heart

Bradycardia, cardiomegaly, heart murmurs, and ECG changes are typically observed in adult endurance athletes, but frequency of such changes among children involved in sports training is unclear. Pediatricians need to be aware of whether these features of the " athlete's heart" occur in their patients, because such features may mimic those of cardiac disease. Fourteen prepubertal competitive male swimmers were evaluated by physical examination, ECG and echocardiogram, and findings were compared to those of a group of active but nontrained control boys. Lower resting heart rates and echocardiographic manifestations of chronic left ventricular volume overload were observed among the swimmers. These changes were not manifest on physical examination, however, and no significant ECG alterations were identified among the athletes. These findings indicate that, although features of the athlete's heart are present in children involved in endurance training, seldom will these findings simulate heart disease or be apparent on routine clinical examination.

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