Victor Utomi

Predominance of normal left ventricular geometry in the male ‘athlete's heart’

Aims This study evaluated (a) global LV adaption to endurance versus resistance training in male athletes, (b) LV assessment using by modern imaging technologies and (c) the impact of scaling for body size on LV structural data. Methods A prospective cross-sectional design assessed the LV in 18 elite endurance-trained (ET), 19 elite resistance-trained (RT) and 17 sedentary control (CT) participants. Standard 2D, tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography assessed LV structure and function. Indexing of LV structures to body surface area (BSA) was undertaken using ratio and allometric scaling. Results Absolute and scaled LV end-diastolic volume (ET: 43.7±6.8; RT: 34.2±7.4; CT 32.5±8.9 mL/m1.5; p<0.05) and LV mass (ET: 29.8±6.6; RT: 25.4±8.7; CT 25.9±6.4 g/m2.7; p < 0.05) were significantly higher in ET compared with RT and CT. LV wall thickness were not different between ET and RT. 65% of ET and 95% of RT had normal geometry. Stroke volume was higher in ET compared with both RT and CT (p<0.05). Whilst regional tissue velocity data were not different between groups, longitudinal and basal circumferential strain (ε) was reduced in RT compared with ET. Conclusions In this comprehensive evaluation of the male athletes heart (AH), normal LV geometry was predominant in both athlete groups. In the ET, 30% demonstrated an eccentric hypertrophy with no concentric hypertrophy in RT. Cardiac ε data in RT require further evaluation, and any interpretation of LV size should appropriately index for differences in body size.

Impact of methodology and the use of allometric scaling on the echocardiographic assessment of the aortic root and arch: a study by the Research and Audit Sub-Committee of the British Society of Echocardiography

The aim of the study is to establish the impact of 2D echocardiographic methods on absolute values for aortic root dimensions and to describe any allometric relationship to body size. We adopted a nationwide cross-sectional prospective multicentre design using images obtained from studies utilising control groups or where specific normality was being assessed. A total of 248 participants were enrolled with no history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension or abnormal findings on echocardiography. Aortic root dimensions were measured at the annulus, the sinus of Valsalva, the sinotubular junction, the proximal ascending aorta and the aortic arch using the inner edge and leading edge methods in both diastole and systole by 2D echocardiography. All dimensions were scaled allometrically to body surface area (BSA), height and pulmonary artery diameter. For all parameters with the exception of the aortic annulus, dimensions were significantly larger in systole (P<0.05). All aortic root and arch measurements were significantly larger when measured using the leading edge method compared with the inner edge method (P<0.05). Allometric scaling provided a b exponent of BSA0.6 in order to achieve size independence. Similarly, ratio scaling to height in subjects under the age of 40 years also produced size independence. In conclusion, the largest aortic dimensions occur in systole while using the leading edge method. Reproducibility of measurement, however, is better when assessing aortic dimensions in diastole. There is an allometric relationship to BSA and, therefore, allometric scaling in the order of BSA0.6 provides a size-independent index that is not influenced by the age or gender.

A meta-analysis for the echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular structure and function in ARVC: a Study by the Research and Audit Committee of the British Society of Echocardiography

Introduction Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited pathology that can increase the risk of sudden death. Current task force criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis do not include new, regional assessment tools which may be relevant in a phenotypically diverse disease. We adopted a systematic review and meta-analysis approach to highlight echocardiographic indices that differentiated ARVC patients and healthy controls. Methods Data was extracted and analysed from prospective trials that employed a case–control design meeting strict inclusion and exclusion as well as a priori quality criteria. Structural indices included proximal RV outflow tract (RVOT1) and RV diastolic area (RVDarea). Functional indices included RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE), peak systolic and early diastolic myocardial velocities (S′ and E′, respectively) and myocardial strain. Results Patients with ARVC had larger RVOT1 (mean ± s.d.; 34 vs 28 mm, P < 0.001) and RVDarea (23 vs 18 cm2, P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. ARVC patients also had lower RVFAC (38 vs 46%, P < 0.001), TAPSE (17 vs 23 mm, P < 0.001), S′ (9 vs 12 cm/s, P < 0.001), E′ (9 vs 13 cm/s, P < 0.001) and myocardial strain (−17 vs −30%, P < 0.001). Conclusion The data from this meta-analysis support current task force criteria for the diagnosis of ARVC. In addition, other RV measures that reflect the complex geometry and function in ARVC clearly differentiated between ARVC and healthy controls and may provide additional diagnostic and management value. We recommend that future working groups consider this data when proposing new/revised criteria for the echocardiographic diagnosis of ARVC.

Acute response and chronic stimulus for cardiac structural and functional adaptation in a professional boxer

The individual response to acute and chronic changes in cardiac structure and function to intense exercise training is not fully understood and therefore evidence in this setting may help to improve the timing and interpretation of pre-participation cardiac screening. The following case report highlights an acute increase in right ventricular (RV) size and a reduction in left ventricular (LV) basal radial function with concomitant increase at the mid-level in response to a weeks increase in training volume in a professional boxer. These adaptations settle by the second week; however, chronic physiological adaptation occurs over a 12-week period. Electrocardiographic findings demonstrate an acute lateral T-wave inversion at 1 week, which revert to baseline for the duration of training. It appears that a change in training intensity and volume generates an acute response within the RV that acts as a stimulus for chronic adaptation in this professional boxer.

120 Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain-Volume Relationships in Elite Athletesd

Introduction It is well established that left ventricular (LV) adaption occurs in response to chronic physiological conditioning. There is also evidence highlighting functional differences in myocardial strain imaging between athletes from sporting disciplines. This difference may be a consequence of the vague classification of sport i.e. not taking into account relative static and dynamic components and/or merely a consequence of chamber enlargement. We sought to utilise a novel simultaneous assessment of longitudinal strain and LV volume in athletes classified in the 4 corners of Mitchell’s classification of sporting disciplines. The primary aim was to determine relative longitudinal strain throughout the cardiac cycle and its specific contribution to LV volume change in these athletes. Methods 92 elite male athletes were studied and sub classified based on sporting discipline in accordance with the Mitchell’s classification. (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 the LV was undertaken. The raw temporal global longitudinal strain values were exported and divided into 5% time increments across the cardiac cycle. Concomitant LV volumes were traced at each 5% time increment to provide simultaneous strain-volume loops. The strain-volume relationship was assessed by applying a polynomial regression analysis for each systolic and diastolic curve to derive absolute values for% end diastolic volumes (EDV). Results Conventional and peak strain indices are presented in table 1. Athletes in group IC and IIIC had larger LV end diastolic volumes (EDV) compared to athletes in groups IA and IIIA (50 ± 6 and 54 ± 8 ml/(m2)1.5 vs. 42 ± 7 and 43 ± 2 ml/(m2)1.5 respectively). Group IIIC also had significantly larger mean wall thickness (MWT) compared to all groups. Peak strain was variable between groups but once normalised for EDV all groups, with exception of IIIC, required similar strain to generate the same% reduction in EDV (see Figures 1 and 2). Conversely group IIIC required greater longitudinal strain for any given% volume which correlated to MWT (r = 0.4, p < 0.0001).Abstract 120 Table 1 Echocardiographic Parameters PARAMETER GROUP IA GROUP IC GROUP IIIA GROUP IIIC LVDd index (mm/(m2)0.5) 37 ± 3† 39 ± 3 37 ± 3† 40 ± 2*‡ LVEDV index (ml/(m2)1.5) 42 ± 7^† 50 ± 6*‡ 43 ± 2^† 54 ± 8*‡ EF (%) 60 ± 7 58 ± 7 59 ± 5 59 ± 7 MWT index (mm/(m2)0.5) 6.0 ± 0.4† 6.3 ± 0.6 6.3 ± 0.6 6.7 ± 0.7* MaxWT index (mm/(m2)0.5) 6.6 ± 0.7† 7.0 ± 0.7† 7.1 ± 0.7 7.6 ± 0.9*^ LV Mass Index (g/(m)2.7) 33 ± 8† 37 ± 8 35 ± 9† 42 ± 9*‡ LVMass/LVEDV (g/ml) 1.4 ± 0.2 1.4 ± 0.3 1.4 ± 0.3 1.5 ± 0.3 Longitudinal Strain (%) -20 ± 3^‡ -16 ± 2*† -18 ± 2*† -20 ± 3^‡ Symbol denotes P > 0.05 to IA=*, IC=^, IIIA=‡, IIIC=†Abstract 120 Figure 1 Temporal Assessment of Simultaneous Strain and VolumeAbstract 120 Figure 2 Derived Strains for% EDV in the EF range 10 to 70% Conclusion There are physiological differences between athletes with the largest LV demonstrated in athletes from group IIIC. These athletes also have greater resting longitudinal contribution to volume change which, in part, is related to an increased wall thickness. The variance in peak strain seen in the other athlete groups was solely related to chamber size with no intrinsic differences in contractility or relaxation.

Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Senior and Academy Elite Footballers.

Right ventricular (RV) adaptation is a common finding in the athletes heart. The aim of this study was to establish the extent of RV structural and functional adaptation in elite and academy professional footballers compared to age‐matched controls.