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Bicuspid aortic valve behaviour in elite athletes.
Araceli Boraita1, Francisco Morales-Acuna1,2, Manuel Marina-Breysse1,3
1Department of Cardiology, Sports Medicine Center, Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sports, C/Pintor El Greco s/n, Madrid, Spain.
European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular Imaging
|February 5, 2019
Summary
Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) affects 0.8% of elite athletes. Long-term high-intensity exercise does not appear to worsen BAV-related aortic dilation, suggesting safe participation with regular monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital heart defect.
- Elite athletes undergo rigorous physical demands.
- The impact of intense exercise on BAV aortas is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of BAV in elite athletes.
- To characterize BAV in athletes and compare aortic dimensions with non-athletes.
- To analyze the long-term effects of exercise on the aorta in BAV athletes.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography used to identify BAV and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) athletes from 5136 individuals.
- Matched cohorts of BAV athletes, TAV athletes, and BAV non-athletes were analyzed.
- Longitudinal data from 16 BAV elite athletes with at least two cardiac evaluations over 3+ years were assessed.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of BAV among elite athletes was 0.8%.
- BAV athletes (elite and non-athletic) showed larger proximal ascending aortas than TAV athletes.
- No significant differences in aortic diameters were observed between BAV athletes and BAV non-athletes.
- Annual aortic growth rates in BAV elite athletes were minimal, and aortic regurgitation did not significantly progress.
Conclusions:
- Elite athletes with BAV may safely participate in high-intensity training and competition.
- Intense exercise does not appear to aggravate BAV-related aortic conditions.
- Regular echocardiographic follow-up is recommended for BAV elite athletes.
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