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Comparison of coronary vasodilator reserve in elite rowing athletes versus hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

J Radvan1, L Choudhury, D J Sheridan

  • 1MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|January 7, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Coronary vasodilation reserve is reduced in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients but not in athletes. Positron emission tomography helps differentiate athlete's heart from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiac condition characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy.
  • Athletic training can also lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, termed athlete's heart.
  • Distinguishing between pathological and physiological hypertrophy is clinically important.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare coronary vasodilation reserve in patients with HCM and in elite rowing athletes.
  • To evaluate the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) in differentiating HCM from athlete's heart.

Main Methods:

  • Coronary vasodilation reserve was assessed in patients with HCM and in rowing athletes.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to obtain complementary information.

Main Results:

  • Patients with HCM showed reduced coronary vasodilation reserve compared to normal volunteers.
  • Rowing athletes with left ventricular hypertrophy did not exhibit reduced coronary vasodilation reserve.
  • PET imaging provided additional data to aid in differential diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Coronary vasodilation reserve is impaired in HCM but preserved in athlete's heart.
  • PET imaging is a valuable tool for distinguishing between HCM and athlete's heart, aiding clinical management.

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