Differential atrial performance at rest and exercise in athletes: Potential trigger for developing atrial dysfunction?

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 2016-12, Vol.26 (12), p.1444-1454
• Main Authors: Gabrielli, L., Bijnens, B. H., Brambila, C., Duchateau, N., Marin, J., Sitges-Serra, I., Mont, L., Brugada, J., Sitges, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Athletes; atrial arrhythmia; Atrial Function; Cardiac arrhythmia; Case-Control Studies; Computer Science; Cross-Sectional Studies; Echocardiography; Electrocardiography; Exercise; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Heart Atria - physiopathology; Humans; imaging stress test; Male; Medical Imaging; Organ Size; Physical Endurance; Rest; Sedentary Lifestyle; Sports medicine
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/sms.12610

Highly trained athletes show an increased risk of atrial arrhythmias. Little is known about atrial volumes and function during exercise in this population. Our aim was to analyze atrial size and contractile function during exercise. Fifty endurance athletes with 11 ± 8 h of training per week and 30 sedentary control subjects were included. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and during exercise. Left (LA) and right atrial (RA) size and function were assessed by two‐dimensional echocardiography. Peak negative strain (Sa) during atrial contraction and active atrial emptying volume (AEV) were measured. Athletes and control subjects showed a significant increment of deformation and AEV of both atria with exercise (P