Left and right ventricular longitudinal strain-volume/area relationships in elite athletes

• Published in: International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging 2016-08, Vol.32 (8), p.1199-1211
• Main Authors: Oxborough, David, Heemels, Annemieke, Somauroo, John, McClean, Gavin, Mistry, Punit, Lord, Rachel, Utomi, Victor, Jones, Nigel, Thijssen, Dick, Sharma, Sanjay, Osborne, Rebecca, Sculthorpe, Nicholas, George, Keith
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Adolescent; Adult; Athletes; Cardiac Imaging; Cardiology; Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced; Cross-Sectional Studies; Echocardiography; Heart - diagnostic imaging; Heart - physiology; Humans; Imaging; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Myocardial Contraction; Original Paper; Radiology; Stress, Mechanical; Stroke Volume; Time Factors; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Function, Right; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1569-5794; 1573-0743; 1875-8312
• DOI: 10.1007/s10554-016-0910-4

We propose a novel ultrasound approach with the primary aim of establishing the temporal relationship of structure and function in athletes of varying sporting demographics. 92 male athletes were studied [Group IA, (low static–low dynamic) (n = 20); Group IC, (low static–high dynamic) (n = 25); Group IIIA, (high static–low dynamic) (n = 21); Group IIIC, (high static–high dynamic) (n = 26)]. Conventional echocardiography of both the left ventricles (LV) and right ventricles (RV) was undertaken. An assessment of simultaneous longitudinal strain and LV volume/RV area was provided. Data was presented as derived strain for % end diastolic volume/area. Athletes in group IC and IIIC had larger LV end diastolic volumes compared to athletes in groups IA and IIIA (50 ± 6 and 54 ± 8 ml/(m 2 ) 1.5 versus 42 ± 7 and 43 ± 2 ml/(m 2 ) 1.5 respectively). Group IIIC also had significantly larger mean wall thickness (MWT) compared to all groups. Athletes from group IIIC required greater longitudinal strain for any given % volume which correlated to MWT (r = 0.4, p