Calibrated Integrated Backscatter Is Associated With Increased Left Ventricular Concentricity and Left Atrial...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) use is prevalent among resistance-trained individuals.
• AAS use is associated with potential cardiac risks, including myocardial inflammation and fibrosis.
• Calibrated integrated backscatter (ciB) is an advanced echocardiographic technique for myocardial tissue characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess ciB levels in resistance-trained individuals who use AAS versus non-users.
• To investigate the relationship between ciB and left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) structure and function.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 167 resistance-trained individuals (120 male, 21 female) were recruited, categorized as current AAS users (CU, n=95) or non-users (NU, n=46).
• Comprehensive echocardiography with strain imaging was performed to measure ciB.
• LA stiffness index and left atrioventricular coupling index were calculated.

Main Results:

• ciB was significantly higher in AAS users (CU) compared to non-users (NU) (p=0.047).
• Higher ciB levels positively correlated with LV mass index, E/E', LA stiffness index, and left atrioventricular coupling index.
• ciB showed no association with LV systolic function parameters like global longitudinal strain or ejection fraction.

Conclusions:

• Resistance-trained individuals using AAS exhibit significantly higher ciB, suggesting distinct myocardial tissue characteristics.
• Elevated ciB is associated with adverse LV geometry and diastolic function.
• ciB may serve as a valuable echocardiographic tool for identifying early cardiac risk in AAS users.