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Age impacts left atrial functional remodeling in athletes
Cynthia Cousergue1, Eric Saloux1,2,3, Emmanuel Reboursière4
1Department of Cardiology, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU Caen Normandie, Caen, France.
Plos One
|July 15, 2022
Summary
Master athletes aged 35+ show age-related cardiac changes, with reduced left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) function, impacting diastolic filling. These findings highlight aging effects on athletic hearts.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging impacts cardiac filling and function in the general population.
- The effects of aging on left atrial (LA) function and its interaction with left ventricular (LV) adaptation in highly trained athletes are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of aging on LA and LV functions in trained athletes.
- To analyze the interplay between aging, chronic high-intensity training, and cardiac adaptation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 95 healthy highly-trained athletes, divided into young (<35 years) and master (≥35 years) groups.
- Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment including 2D/3D echo and Doppler for LV systolic/diastolic function.
- Speckle tracking echocardiography to evaluate LA dimensions and phasic deformations (reservoir, conduit, contractile strain).
Main Results:
- Master athletes exhibited stiffer LV and LA, with reduced LV early diastolic functional parameters (E/A ratio, peak e', e'/a' ratio) and impaired LA reservoir and conduit strain.
- LA volume, LA contractile strain, and LV peak a' were higher in master athletes compared to young athletes.
- Age was independently predictive of peak e', LA reservoir strain, and LA conduit strain, irrespective of training duration.
Conclusions:
- Master athletes demonstrate age-related alterations in LA function, closely linked to LV diastolic properties.
- These cardiac changes in older athletes lead to a shift in LV filling towards late diastole.
- Findings underscore the specific adaptations and potential age-related changes in the cardiovascular system of endurance athletes.
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