Seasonal variation of right heart function in elite skiers-racers: an echocardiographic study

To examine seasonal variation of the right heart (RH) structure and function in elite skiers-racers.

The same group of 16 male was recruited into the study in the period of preparation for national competitions. The study was carried out at the hospital in Sykyvkar, the European North of Russia, which is located near 62° NL and 51° EL. The winter resting echocardiography study was performed in December 2017 (with the average temperature of - 7.8 °C) and the summer resting echocardiography study was performed in July 2018 (with the average temperature of + 23.8 °C).

No significant difference was seen between the right atrium and ventricle dimensions in diastole in winter and summer (P > 0.05). In December both early diastolic peak filling velocity of the right ventricle (RV) and late atrial diastolic peak filling velocity of the RV were greater than that measured in July: 65 ± 7 vs. 56 ± 6 cm/s and 40 ± 6 vs. 34 ± 3 cm/s, respectively (P < 0.05). It was found out that blood flow ejection time at the root of pulmonary artery in winter was greater than in summer: 371 ± 27 vs. 345 ± 27 ms, respectively (P < 0.05). Regurgitation of blood flow in the tricuspid valve (from 1 to 1.5 grade or mild/moderate) was observed in all of the sixteen skiers studied.

The right heart functional adaptation to cold occurs in elite skiers-racers. The right heart intracardiac hemodynamics increased in winter time.