Diastolic function and dysfunction in athletes.
Havard Dalen1,2,3, Jon Magne Letnes1,2, Morten A Hoydal1
1Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Box 8905, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular Imaging
|July 18, 2024
Summary
Elite endurance athletes often show cardiac remodelling, including left ventricular (LV) enlargement. Echocardiography reveals enhanced LV diastolic function, crucial for their high performance, with specific findings in elite athletes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Cardiac remodelling, characterized by chamber enlargement and hypertrophy, is pronounced in male endurance athletes.
- Left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling is a complex physiological process influenced by myocardial properties, filling pressures, and heart rate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of LV diastolic function in elite endurance athletes using echocardiography.
- To correlate echocardiographic findings with athletic training and performance.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to assess LV diastolic function in endurance athletes.
- Analysis included LV dimensions, ejection fraction (EF), left atrial (LA) size, and diastolic filling parameters (E/A ratio, early-diastolic mitral annular velocity).
Main Results:
- Endurance athletes typically exhibit a dilated LV with normal or mildly reduced EF.
- Significantly enlarged LA and elevated E/A ratio are common findings.
- Early-diastolic mitral annular velocity and E-wave peak velocity are usually normal.
Conclusions:
- LV diastolic function is generally enhanced in elite endurance athletes, facilitating improved ventricular filling and high performance.
- Echocardiographic findings in athletes must be interpreted within the clinical context, considering training type and avoiding misinterpretation of physiological adaptations as pathology.
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