Doppler-echocardiographic findings in professional divers

To determine if professional diving leads to morphologic and/or functional cardiologic changes, Doppler-echocardiography was performed in 20 professional saturation divers (average 15 yr diving experience) and compared to 20 control persons (policemen) who were matched for age (35-45 yr) and number and duration of training sessions. The policemen were taller than the divers, therefore the echocardiographic dimensions but not the functional variables were normalized for body surface area. The groups were comparable for resting and maximal treadmill exercise heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen uptake, and respiratory exchange ratio. Thickness of left ventricular (LV) anterior and posterior wall in end diastole and end systole, and left ventricular mass were similar in the two groups. The systolic functional parameters, LV ejection fraction, and fractional shortening were on average normal in both groups, although one of the divers had low values. Their LV chamber dimensions, wall thickness, diastolic parameters, and exercise capability were normal. The diastolic functional parameters were equal in the two groups. These results suggest that professional divers have normal size and mass of the heart, no diastolic functional changes, and a normal average systolic function.