Acute versus chronic exercise-induced left-ventricular remodeling

Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling (EICR) is the process by which the heart adapts to the physiologic stress of exercise. Non-invasive cardiovascular imaging has led to advances in the understanding of EICR, with sport-specific changes in left-ventricular (LV) structure and function being described; however, the majority of data stem from cross-sectional and short-duration longitudinal studies. Due to the paucity of long-term longitudinal EICR studies, the time course of this process and any distinct differentiation between acute and chronic adaptations remain largely unexplored. In order to clarify the natural history of EICR, longer duration longitudinal study is required. Such work will determine whether exercise-induced changes in myocardial structure and function occur in discrete stages. Examination of prolonged exposures to exercise training will also be necessary to determine normative values across the age and training spectrums of athletic patients. This information will help to distinguish the boundary between physiology and pathology in athletic patients.