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Maleki F, Mehrabani J. Right ventricular remodeling induced by prolonged excessive endurance exercise is mediated by upregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in rats. Int J Cardiol 2024; 413:132316. [PMID: 38977222 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop an animal model to investigate whether prolonged intensive endurance exercise induces RV remodeling, taking into account the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. METHODS Four-week-old male Wistar rats (100 to 125 g) were assigned to four groups (n = 8/group): 1) sixteen weeks of intensive (36 m/min) exercise (INT), 2) twelve weeks of the intensive exercise followed by four weeks of moderate intensity (18 m/min) exercise (INT + MOD), 3) twelve weeks of the intensive exercise followed by four weeks of detraining (INT + DT), and 4) sedentary rats (SED). The exercise protocols were performed five days a week for one h/day. Echocardiography, real-time PCR, western blotting, and histological staining were performed at the end of week sixteen. RESULTS INT rats developed concentric hypertrophy without diastolic dysfunction compared to SED (p = 0.006) and INT + DT (p = 0.035). Wnt1, β-catenin and CyclinD1 proteins in the training groups were significantly higher than SED rats (p < 0.001). Interestingly, INT rats had higher protein levels than INT + DT and INT + MOD (p < 0.001), with higher gene expression compared to SED rats (p < 0.05). There was also a significant increase in collagen deposition in INT rats compared to SED (p = 0.046) and INT + DT (p = 0.034). Furthermore, INT + MOD and INT + DT rats did not show any adverse structural, functional, or histological changes. CONCLUSIONS Long-term intensive endurance training seems to be associated with increased collagen deposition and wall thickness in the RV through Wnt/β-catenin signaling (which is concentration dependent), without changes in diastolic function. CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE Over the past decades, there has been an ongoing debate about whether the structural and functional adaptations of the cardiovascular system in trained endurance athletes are benign physiological responses to training or potentially pathological changes related to disease. While the adaptations of the left heart are well-documented, the remodeling of the right heart remains a subject of discussion. To gain insights into the ability of sustained high-intensity exercise to cause adverse right ventricular (RV) remodeling, we conducted an experimental study in which male rats were trained to run vigorously for 1 h daily over a 16-week period and compared them to a parallel group of sedentary control rats. Our findings revealed that intense long-term exercise induced morphological changes along with fibrosis affecting the RV. These fibrotic changes were a result of the 16-week vigorous exercise training regimen. If these results are confirmed in humans, they suggest that prolonged high-intensity endurance exercise training may lead to adverse cardiac remodeling. Our findings have important potential implications for the assessment of cardiac remodeling in individuals engaged in high-level exercise training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Maleki
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199843653, Iran.
| | - Javad Mehrabani
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht 4199843653, Iran.
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2
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Pastore MC, Cavigli L, Olivoni G, Morrone F, Amati F, Imbalzano E, Rinaldi A, Liga R, Mattioli AV, Scicchitano P, Curcio A, Barillà F, Ciccarelli M, Maestrini V, Perrone Filardi P, D'Ascenzi F, Cameli M. Physical exercise in hypertensive heart disease: From the differential diagnosis to the complementary role of exercise. Int J Cardiol 2024; 410:132232. [PMID: 38844090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common pathologic conditions and uncontrolled AH is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. AH chronically causes myocardial and arterial remodelling with hemodynamic changes affecting the heart and other organs, with potentially irreversible consequences leading to poor outcomes. Therefore, a proper and early treatment of AH is crucial after the diagnosis. Beyond medical treatment, physical exercise also plays a therapeutic role in reducing blood pressure, given its potential effects on sympathetic tone, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and endothelial function. International scientific societies recommend physical exercise among lifestyle modifications to treat AH in the first stages of the disease. Moreover, some studies have also shown its usefulness in addition to drugs to reduce blood pressure further. Therefore, an accurate, personalized exercise prescription is recommended to optimize the prevention and treatment of hypertension. On the other hand, uncontrolled AH in athletes requires proper risk stratification and careful evaluation to practice competitive sports safely. Moreover, the differential diagnosis between hypertensive heart disease and athlete's heart is sometimes challenging and requires a careful and comprehensive interpretation in order not to misinterpret the clinical findings. The present review aims to discuss the relationship between hypertensive heart disease and physical exercise, from diagnostic tools to prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Concetta Pastore
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luna Cavigli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Olivoni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Morrone
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Egidio Imbalzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Rinaldi
- Unit of Cardiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, University of Bologna, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, IRCCS, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Liga
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Curcio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesco Barillà
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Ciccarelli
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Pasquale Perrone Filardi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Italian Society of Cardiology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Flavio D'Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Matteo Cameli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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3
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Allwood RP, Papadakis M, Androulakis E. Myocardial Fibrosis in Young and Veteran Athletes: Evidence from a Systematic Review of the Current Literature. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4536. [PMID: 39124802 PMCID: PMC11313657 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Exercise is associated with several cardiac adaptations that can enhance one's cardiac output and allow one to sustain a higher level of oxygen demand for prolonged periods. However, adverse cardiac remodelling, such as myocardial fibrosis, has been identified in athletes engaging in long-term endurance exercise. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is considered the noninvasive gold standard for its detection and quantification. This review seeks to highlight factors that contribute to the development of myocardial fibrosis in athletes and provide insights into the assessment and interpretation of myocardial fibrosis in athletes. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed/Medline database and Google Scholar for publications that assessed myocardial fibrosis in athletes using CMR. Results: A total of 21 studies involving 1642 endurance athletes were included in the analysis, and myocardial fibrosis was found in 378 of 1595 athletes. A higher prevalence was seen in athletes with cardiac remodelling compared to control subjects (23.7 vs. 3.3%, p < 0.001). Similarly, we found that young endurance athletes had a significantly higher prevalence than veteran athletes (27.7 vs. 19.9%, p < 0.001), while male and female athletes were similar (19.7 vs. 16.4%, p = 0.207). Major myocardial fibrosis (nonischaemic and ischaemic patterns) was predominately observed in veteran athletes, particularly in males and infrequently in young athletes. The right ventricular insertion point was the most common fibrosis location, occurring in the majority of female (96%) and young athletes (84%). Myocardial native T1 values were significantly lower in athletes at 1.5 T (p < 0.001) and 3 T (p = 0.004), although they had similar extracellular volume values to those of control groups. Conclusions: The development of myocardial fibrosis in athletes appears to be a multifactorial process, with genetics, hormones, the exercise dose, and an adverse cardiovascular risk profile playing key roles. Major myocardial fibrosis is not a benign finding and warrants a comprehensive evaluation and follow-up regarding potential cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard P. Allwood
- Sports Cardiology Department, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK;
| | - Emmanuel Androulakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK;
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4
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Nath LC, Saljic A, Buhl R, Elliott A, La Gerche A, Ye C, Schmidt Royal H, Lundgren Virklund K, Agbaedeng TA, Stent A, Franklin S. Histological evaluation of cardiac remodelling in equine athletes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16709. [PMID: 39030282 PMCID: PMC11271503 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67621-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Approximately 1-2 per 100,000 young athletes die from sudden cardiac death (SCD) and extreme exercise may be associated with myocardial scar and arrhythmias. Racehorses have a high prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and SCD but the presence of myocardial scar and inflammation has not been evaluated. Cardiac tissues from the left (LAA) and right (RAA) atrial appendages, left ventricular anterior (LVAPM) and posterior (LVPPM) papillary muscles, and right side of the interventricular septum (IVS-R) were harvested from racehorses with sudden cardiac death (SCD, n = 16) or other fatal injuries (OFI, n = 17), constituting the athletic group (ATH, n = 33), and compared to sedentary horses (SED, n = 10). Horses in the ATH group had myocyte hypertrophy at all sites; increased fibrosis at all sites other than the LAA; increased fibroblast infiltration but a reduction in the overall extracellular matrix (ECM) volume in the RAA, LVAPM, and IVS-R compared to SED horses. In this horse model, athletic conditioning was associated with myocyte hypertrophy and a reduction in ECM. There was an excess of fibrocyte infiltration and focal fibrosis that was not present in non-athletic horses, raising the possibility of an exercise-induced pro-fibrotic substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Nath
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - A Saljic
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R Buhl
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Elliott
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - A La Gerche
- St Vincents Institute Medical Research, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - C Ye
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - A Stent
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - S Franklin
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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5
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Most A, Kraushaar L, Dörr O, Keranov S, Hoelscher S, Weber R, Akdogan E, Groesser V, Husain-Syed F, Nef H, Hamm CW, Bauer P. Association of central blood pressure with an exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise among elite athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:1239-1252. [PMID: 37987923 PMCID: PMC10955016 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The systolic blood pressure/workload (SBP/MET) slope was recently reported to be a reliable parameter to identify an exaggerated blood pressure response (eBPR) in the normal population and in athletes. However, it is unclear whether an eBPR correlates with central blood pressure (CBP) and vascular function in elite athletes. METHODS We examined 618 healthy male elite athletes (age 25.8 ± 5.1 years) of mixed sports with a standardized maximum exercise test. CBP and vascular function were measured non-invasively with a validated oscillometric device. The SBP/MET slope was calculated and the threshold for an eBPR was set at > 6.2 mmHg/MET. Two groups were defined according to ≤ 6.2 and > 6.2 mmHg/MET, and associations of CBP and vascular function with the SBP/MET slope were compared for each group. RESULTS Athletes with an eBPR (n = 180, 29%) displayed a significantly higher systolic CBP (102.9 ± 7.5 vs. 100 ± 7.7 mmHg, p = 0.001) but a lower absolute (295 ± 58 vs. 384 ± 68 W, p < 0.001) and relative workload (3.14 ± 0.54 vs. 4.27 ± 1.1 W/kg, p < 0.001) compared with athletes with a normal SBP/MET slope (n = 438, 71%). Systolic CBP was positively associated with the SBP/MET slope (r = 0.243, p < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analyses, systolic CBP (odds ratio [OR] 1.099, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.045-1.155, p < 0.001) and left atrial volume index (LAVI) (OR 1.282, CI 1.095-1.501, p = 0.002) were independent predictors of an eBPR. CONCLUSION Systolic CBP and LAVI were independent predictors of an eBPR. An eBPR was further associated with a lower performance level, highlighting the influence of vascular function on the BPR and performance of male elite athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Most
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Dörr
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stanislav Keranov
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sophie Hoelscher
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Weber
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ebru Akdogan
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vincent Groesser
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Faeq Husain-Syed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Holger Nef
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian W Hamm
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Rhein-Main Partner Site, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Pascal Bauer
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany.
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6
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Andresen K, Klæboe LG, Lie ØH, Broch K, Kvaslerud AB, Bosse G, Hopp E, de Lange C, Haugaa KH, Edvardsen T. No adverse association between exercise exposure and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in male endurance athletes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6581. [PMID: 38503845 PMCID: PMC10951320 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57233-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The potential association between endurance exercise and myocardial fibrosis is controversial. Data on exercise exposure and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in endurance athletes are scarce and conflicting. We aimed to investigate the association between exercise exposure and markers of diffuse myocardial fibrosis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in endurance athletes. We examined 27 healthy adult male competitive endurance athletes aged 41 ± 9 years and 16 healthy controls in a cross sectional study using 3 Tesla CMR including late gadolinium enhancement and T1 mapping. Athletes reported detailed exercise history from 12 years of age. Left ventricular total mass, cellular mass and extracellular mass were higher in athletes than controls (86 vs. 58 g/m2, 67 vs. 44 g/m2 and 19 vs. 13 g/m2, all p < 0.01). Extracellular volume (ECV) was lower (21.5% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.03) and native T1 time was shorter (1214 ms vs. 1268 ms, p < 0.01) in the athletes. Increasing exercise dose was independently associated with shorter native T1 time (regression coefficient - 24.1, p < 0.05), but expressed no association with ECV. Our results indicate that diffuse myocardial fibrosis has a low prevalence in healthy male endurance athletes and do not indicate an adverse dose-response relationship between exercise and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in healthy athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristoffer Andresen
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Gunnar Klæboe
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Cardiology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Øyvind Haugen Lie
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kaspar Broch
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anette Borger Kvaslerud
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gerhard Bosse
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Einar Hopp
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Charlotte de Lange
- Institution of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Hermann Haugaa
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Heart and Lung Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Thor Edvardsen
- ProCardio Center for Innovation, Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Nydalen, P. O. Box 4950, N-0424, Oslo, Norway.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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7
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Lund GK, Leptin S, Ragab H, Sinn MR, Fierenz A, Cavus E, Muellerleile K, Chen H, Erley J, Harms P, Kisters A, Starekova J, Adam G, Tahir E. Prognostic Relevance of Ischemic Late Gadolinium Enhancement in Apparently Healthy Endurance Athletes: A Follow-up Study Over 5 years. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2024; 10:13. [PMID: 38282168 PMCID: PMC10822825 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-024-00680-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In many cardiac diseases, myocardial scar tissue detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is a risk factor for cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Previous studies in athletes reported an increased risk for cardiac events in this group of ostensibly healthy subjects. However, the currently available longitudinal studies on this topic included fairly old marathon runners with a mean age of 57 ± 6 years or represent a case-control study in athletes with preexisting ventricular arrhythmia. The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the prognostic relevance of LGE cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in middle-aged endurance athletes without known preexisting cardiac disorders. METHODS Three-hundred and twelve apparently healthy athletes were prospectively enrolled. Inclusion criteria were a training for a minimum of 10 h per week and regularly participation in competitions. LGE CMR was obtained at baseline in all athletes and presence of LGE was classified visually according to established criteria as ischemic LGE, major or minor non-ischemic LGE or absent LGE. Follow-up consisted of a standardized questionnaire and an additional phone call in case of incomplete data. An event was defined as fatal myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation or sudden cardiac death (SCD). RESULTS Complete follow-up was available for 293/312 athletes (94%) including 145 triathletes, 74 marathon runners and 74 cyclists after a median of 5.6 [quartiles 4,3, 6,4] years. Median age was 44 [35, 50] years at study enrollment. Spiroergometry did not reveal heart rhythm disturbances or significant ECG changes in the study population. LGE CMR revealed myocardial scar/focal fibrosis in 80 of 293 athletes (27%) including 7 athletes (2%) with ischemic subendocardial LGE of the left ventricle (LV), 16 athletes (6%) with major non-ischemic LGE of the LV and 57 athletes (19%) with minor non-ischemic LGE. During follow-up, two athletes experienced SCD. One marathon runner died during a training run and one cyclist died suddenly at rest. Both athletes had ischemic LGE of the LV. The event rate for SCD was 0.7% in the entire study population and 28% in the 7 athletes with ischemic LGE (p < 0.001 compared to athletes without LGE). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that athletes with ischemic LGE due to unrecognized myocardial infarction are at increased risk for SCD. Our findings highlight the value of LGE CMR to detect occult ischemic scar in asymptomatic apparently healthy athletes, which is of importance, since current guidelines do not recommend to incorporate routine cardiac imaging in pre-participation screening. Athletes with ischemic myocardial scar should at least consider to refrain from high-level exercise as an individual decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar K Lund
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Sharon Leptin
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Haissam Ragab
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin R Sinn
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Fierenz
- Institution for Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ersin Cavus
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Muellerleile
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hang Chen
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Erley
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Phillip Harms
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Kisters
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jitka Starekova
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Enver Tahir
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Finocchiaro G, Westaby J, Sheppard MN, Papadakis M, Sharma S. Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:350-370. [PMID: 38199713 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Athletes epitomize the healthiest segment of society. Despite this premise, sudden cardiac death may occur in apparently healthy athletes, attracting significant attention not only in the medical community but also in laypersons and media. The incidence of sudden cardiac death is variably reported, and epidemiological burden differs among cohorts. Athletes appear to be at risk of developing fatal arrhythmias when harboring a quiescent cardiac disorder. Primary cardiomyopathies, ion channelopathies, and coronary artery anomalies are prevalent causes in young individuals. Cardiac assessment of athletes can be challenging because these individuals exhibit a plethora of electrical, structural, and functional physiological changes that overlap with cardiac pathology. A diagnosis of cardiac disease in a young athlete is not necessarily an indication to terminate competition and sports participation. International guidelines, traditionally focused on disqualification of individuals with cardiac disease, have recently adopted a more liberal attitude, based on a careful assessment of the risk and on a shared-decision making approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gherardo Finocchiaro
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Westaby
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary N Sheppard
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiovascular Sciences Research Centre, St George's, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
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9
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Javed W, Malhotra A, Swoboda P. Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of athletic myocardial fibrosis; Benign bystander or malignant marker? Int J Cardiol 2024; 394:131382. [PMID: 37741350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of exercise are irrefutable with a well-established dose-dependent relationship between exercise intensity and reduction in cardiovascular disease. Differentiating the physiological adaptation to exercise, termed the "athlete's heart" from cardiomyopathies, has been advanced by the advent of more sophisticated imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Myocardial fibrosis on CMR is a mutual finding amongst seemingly healthy endurance athletes and individuals with cardiomyopathy. As a substrate for arrhythmias, fibrosis is traditionally associated with increased cardiovascular risk. In this article, we discuss the aetiologies, distribution and potential implications of myocardial fibrosis in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wasim Javed
- Department of Biomedical Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Aneil Malhotra
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Swoboda
- Department of Biomedical Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
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10
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You ZL, Ding ZL, Ruan QY, Fu LY. Myocardial Injury in Rats Exposed to High-Intensity Exercise Evaluated by 2-D Speckle Tracking Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:2446-2450. [PMID: 37689531 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the work described here was to evaluate strain and morphological change of the left ventricle in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats at different exercise intensities by 2-D speckle tracking imaging (STI). METHODS Seventy-two 8-wk-old SD rats were divided into four groups on the basis of exercise intensity: sedentary (SED), low-intensity running, medium-intensity running (MIR) and high-intensity running (HIR). Each group was further sub-divided into three groups of different exercise lengths: 1, 4 and 8 wk. The structural measurements of the left ventricle and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were obtained by echocardiography. Systolic peak values of global longitudinal, circumferential and radial strains (GLS, GCS and GRS) were obtained. Histopathological results of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of myocardial cells, collagen volume fraction (CVF) of the myocardium and perivascular collagen area (PVCA) were also observed. RESULTS Structural measurements of the left ventricle and LVEF did not change with different exercise intensities or lengths. GLS of the HIR8 wk sub-group was significantly lower than those of the SED8 wk and MIR8 wk sub-groups. Conversely, the GLS and GCS of the HIR8 wk sub-group were lower than those of the HIR1 wk and HIR4 wk sub-groups. Histopathologically, the CSA of myocardial cells significantly increased across all HIR sub-groups and the MIR4 wk and MIR8 wk sub-groups. CVFendo and PVCA were also significantly increased in the HIR4 wk and HIR8 wk sub-groups. The HIR8 wk group also had regional swelling and ill-defined boundaries of myocardial cells. CONCLUSION Prolonged, high-intensity exercise may lead to exercise-induced injury of the myocardium. Two-dimensional STI can be used as a non-invasive early detection method for exercise-induced injury of myocardial function, compared with LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Ling You
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhi-Lin Ding
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Qin-Yun Ruan
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
| | - Li-Yun Fu
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China; Department of Ultrasound, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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11
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Pesova P, Jiravska Godula B, Jiravsky O, Jelinek L, Sovova M, Moravcova K, Ozana J, Gajdusek L, Miklik R, Sknouril L, Neuwirth R, Sovova E. Exercise-Induced Blood Pressure Dynamics: Insights from the General Population and the Athletic Cohort. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:480. [PMID: 38132648 PMCID: PMC10743421 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10120480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood pressure (BP) dynamics during graded exercise testing provide important insights into cardiovascular health, particularly in athletes. These measurements, taken during intense physical exertion, complement and often enhance our understanding beyond traditional resting BP measurements. Historically, the challenge has been to distinguish 'normal' from 'exaggerated' BP responses in the athletic environment. While basic guidelines have served their purpose, they may not fully account for the complex nature of BP responses in today's athletes, as illuminated by contemporary research. This review critically evaluates existing guidelines in the context of athletic performance and cardiovascular health. Through a rigorous analysis of the current literature, we highlight the multifaceted nature of exercise-induced BP fluctuations in athletes, emphasising the myriad determinants that influence these responses, from specific training regimens to inherent physiological nuances. Our aim is to advocate a tailored, athlete-centred approach to BP assessment during exercise. Such a paradigm shift is intended to set the stage for evidence-based guidelines to improve athletic training, performance and overall cardiovascular well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Pesova
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
| | - Bogna Jiravska Godula
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
| | - Otakar Jiravsky
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 735/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Jelinek
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
| | - Marketa Sovova
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
| | - Katarina Moravcova
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
| | - Jaromir Ozana
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
| | - Libor Gajdusek
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Syllabova 19, 703 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Roman Miklik
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 735/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Sknouril
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
| | - Radek Neuwirth
- Sports Cardiology Center, Nemocnice Agel Trinec-Podlesi, Konska 453, 739 61 Trinec, Czech Republic (R.N.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 735/5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Sovova
- Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Krizkovskeho 511/8, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (P.P.); (B.J.G.)
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12
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Kröpfl JM, Beltrami FG, Gruber H, Schmidt‐Trucksäss A, Dieterle T, Spengler CM. Circulating Gal-3 and sST2 are associated with acute exercise-induced sustained endothelial activation: Possible relevance for fibrosis development? Exp Physiol 2023; 108:1259-1267. [PMID: 37572028 PMCID: PMC10988490 DOI: 10.1113/ep091277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Long-term, intense endurance exercise training can occasionally induce endothelial micro-damage and cardiac fibrosis. The underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Twenty healthy, well-trained male participants (10 runners and 10 cyclists) performed a strenuous high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session matched by age, height, weight and maximal oxygen consumption. We assessed the acute exercise response of novel cardiac biomarkers of fibrosis [e.g., galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2)] per exercise modality and their relationship with haemodynamic contributors, such as preload, afterload and cardiac contractility index (CTi), in addition to endothelial damage by sustained activation and shedding of endothelial cells (ECs). Serum Gal-3 and sST2 concentrations were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; haemodynamics were analysed via impedance plethysmography and circulating ECs by flow cytometry. The Gal-3 and sST2 concentrations and ECs were elevated after exercise (P < 0.001), without interaction between exercise modalities. Circulating Gal-3 and sST2 concentrations both showed a positive relationship with ECs (rrm = 0.68, P = 0.001 and rrm = 0.57, P = 0.010, respectively, both n = 18). The EC association with Gal-3 was significant only in cyclists, but equally strong for both modalities. Gal-3 was also related to exercise-induced CTi (rrm = 0.57, P = 0.011, n = 18). Cardiac wall stress is increased after an acute HIIT session but does not differ between exercise modalities. Exercise-released Gal-3 from cardiac macrophages could very probably drive systemic endothelial damage, based on an enhanced CTi. The importance of acute exercise-induced vascular resistances and cardiac contractility for the release of fibrotic biomarkers and any long-term pathological endothelial adaptation should be investigated further, also relative to the exercise modality. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Circulating biomarkers of cardiac wall stress and fibrosis are influenced by physical exercise. The underlying mechanisms per exercise modality are still unclear. What is the main finding and its importance? We show that galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) are increased after acute exercise but do not differ between running and cycling. One haemodynamic contributor to the secretion of Gal-3 is an enhanced cardiac contractility. Acute exercise-released Gal-3 and sST2 are linked to sustained endothelial activation and cell shedding. This could be relevant in the context of fibrosis development and could identify athletes at risk for pathological endothelial adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M. Kröpfl
- Division of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Sport, Exercise and HealthUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Fernando G. Beltrami
- Exercise Physiology Lab, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and SportETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Hans‐Jürgen Gruber
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory DiagnosticsMedical University of GrazGrazAustria
| | - Arno Schmidt‐Trucksäss
- Division of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Department of Sport, Exercise and HealthUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Thomas Dieterle
- Foeldiklinik GmbH&Co KGHinterzartenGermany
- Department of Clinical ResearchUniversity Hospital BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Christina M. Spengler
- Exercise Physiology Lab, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and SportETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP)University of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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13
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Petek BJ, Chung EH, Kim JH, Lampert R, Levine BD, Phelan D, Danielian A, Dean PN, Dineen EH, Fernandez AB, Husaini M, Krishnan S, Shah AB, Stewart KM, Wasfy MM. Impact of Sex on Cardiovascular Adaptations to Exercise: JACC Review Topic of the Week. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 82:1030-1038. [PMID: 37648352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Routine exercise leads to cardiovascular adaptations that differ based on sex. Use of cardiac testing to screen athletes has driven research to define how these sex-based adaptations manifest on the electrocardiogram and cardiac imaging. Importantly, sex-based differences in cardiovascular structure and outcomes in athletes often parallel findings in the general population, underscoring the importance of understanding their mechanisms. Substantial gaps exist in the understanding of why cardiovascular adaptations and outcomes related to exercise differ by sex because of underrepresentation of female participants in research. As female sports participation rates have increased dramatically over several decades, it also remains unknown if differences observed in older athletes reflect biological mechanisms vs less lifetime access to sports in females. In this review, we will assess the effect of sex on cardiovascular adaptations and outcomes related to exercise, identify the impact of sex hormones on exercise performance, and highlight key areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley J Petek
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA; Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eugene H Chung
- Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jonathan H Kim
- Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rachel Lampert
- Section of Cardiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Benjamin D Levine
- Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA; Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Dermot Phelan
- Sports & Performance Cardiology Center, Atrium Health, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alfred Danielian
- Division of Sports Cardiology, Las Vegas Heart Associates, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Peter N Dean
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Elizabeth H Dineen
- Division of Cardiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Antonio B Fernandez
- Hartford Healthcare Heart and Vascular Institute, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mustafa Husaini
- Division of Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sheela Krishnan
- Sports Cardiology & Fitness Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ankit B Shah
- Sports & Performance Cardiology LLC, Chevy Chase, Maryland; Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC
| | - Katie M Stewart
- Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meagan M Wasfy
- Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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14
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Farooq M, Brown LAE, Fitzpatrick A, Broadbent DA, Wahab A, Klassen JRL, Farley J, Saunderson CED, Das A, Craven T, Dall'Armellina E, Levelt E, Xue H, Kellman P, Greenwood JP, Plein S, Swoboda PP. Identification of non-ischaemic fibrosis in male veteran endurance athletes, mechanisms and association with premature ventricular beats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14640. [PMID: 37669972 PMCID: PMC10480152 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Left ventricular fibrosis can be identified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in some veteran athletes. We aimed to investigate prevalence of ventricular fibrosis in veteran athletes and associations with cardiac arrhythmia. 50 asymptomatic male endurance athletes were recruited. They underwent CMR imaging including volumetric analysis, bright blood (BB) and dark blood (DB) LGE, motion corrected (MOCO) quantitative stress and rest perfusion and T1/T2/extracellular volume mapping. Athletes underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and 24-h ECG. Myocardial fibrosis was identified in 24/50 (48%) athletes. All fibrosis was mid-myocardial in the basal-lateral left ventricular wall. Blood pressure was reduced in athletes without fibrosis compared to controls, but not athletes with fibrosis. Fibrotic areas had longer T2 time (44 ± 4 vs. 40 ± 2 ms, p < 0.0001) and lower rest myocardial blood flow (MBF, 0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 ml/g/min, p < 0.0001). On 24-h ECG, athletes with fibrosis had greater burden of premature ventricular beats (0.3 ± 0.6 vs. 0.05 ± 0.2%, p = 0.03), with higher prevalence of ventricular couplets and triplets (33 vs. 8%, p = 0.02). In veteran endurance athletes, myocardial fibrosis is common and associated with an increased burden of ventricular ectopy. Possible mechanisms include inflammation and blood pressure. Further studies are needed to establish whether fibrosis increases risk of malignant arrhythmic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryum Farooq
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Louise A E Brown
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Andrew Fitzpatrick
- Cardiac Investigations Unit, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - David A Broadbent
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Medical Physics and Engineering, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Ali Wahab
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Joel R L Klassen
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Jonathan Farley
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Christopher E D Saunderson
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Arka Das
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Thomas Craven
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Erica Dall'Armellina
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Eylem Levelt
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Hui Xue
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter Kellman
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John P Greenwood
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Sven Plein
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Peter P Swoboda
- Biomedical Imaging Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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15
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Ragab H, Lund GK, Breitsprecher L, Sinn MR, Muellerleile K, Cavus E, Stehning C, Tahir E, Blankenberg S, Patten M, Pressler A, Adam G, Avanesov M. Prevalence and pattern of focal and potential diffuse myocardial fibrosis in male and female marathon runners using contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:4648-4656. [PMID: 36683089 PMCID: PMC10289973 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09416-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study analyzed the prevalence and pattern of focal and potential diffuse myocardial fibrosis detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume (ECV) imaging in male and female marathon runners using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS Seventy-four marathon runners were studied including 55 males (44 ± 8 years) and 19 females (36 ± 7 years) and compared to 36 controls with similar age and sex using contrast-enhanced CMR, exercise testing, and blood samples. RESULTS Contrast-enhanced CMR revealed focal myocardial fibrosis in 8 of 74 runners (11%). The majority of runners were male (7 of 8, 88%). LGE was typically non-ischemic in 7 of 8 runners (88%) and ischemic in one runner. ECV was higher in remote myocardium without LGE in male runners (25.5 ± 2.3%) compared to male controls (24.0 ± 3.0%, p < 0.05), indicating the potential presence of diffuse myocardial fibrosis. LV mass was higher in LGE + males (86 ± 18 g/m2) compared to LGE- males (73 ± 14 g/m2, p < 0.05). Furthermore, LGE + males had lower weight (69 ± 9 vs 77 ± 9 kg, p < 0.05) and shorter best marathon finishing times (3.2 ± 0.3 h) compared to LGE- males (3.6 ± 0.4 h, p < 0.05) suggesting higher training load in these runners to accomplish the marathon in a short time. CONCLUSION The high frequency of non-ischemic myocardial fibrosis in LGE + male runners can be related to increased LV mass in these runners. Furthermore, a higher training load could explain the higher LV mass and could be one additional cofactor in the genesis of myocardial fibrosis in marathon runners. KEY POINTS • A high frequency of myocardial fibrosis was found in marathon runners. • Myocardial fibrosis occurred typically in male runners and was typically non-ischemic. • Higher training load could be one cofactor in the genesis of myocardial fibrosis in marathon runners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haissam Ragab
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar K Lund
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Lynn Breitsprecher
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin R Sinn
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Muellerleile
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ersin Cavus
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Enver Tahir
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Blankenberg
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Monica Patten
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Axel Pressler
- Private Center for Sports and Exercise Cardiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maxim Avanesov
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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16
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Bhatia RT, Malhotra A, MacLachlan H, Gati S, Marwaha S, Chatrath N, Fyyaz S, Aleixo H, Al-Turaihi S, Babu A, Basu J, Catterson P, Cooper R, Daems JJN, Dhutia H, Ferrari F, van Hattum JC, Iqbal Z, Kasiakogias A, Kenny A, Khanbhai T, Khoury S, Miles C, Oxborough D, Quazi K, Rakhit D, Sharma A, Varnava A, Tome Esteban MT, Finocchiaro G, Stein R, Jorstad HT, Papadakis M, Sharma S. Prevalence and diagnostic significance of de-novo 12-lead ECG changes after COVID-19 infection in elite soccer players. Heart 2023; 109:936-943. [PMID: 37039240 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2022-322211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The efficacy of pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 infection 12-lead ECGs for identifying athletes with myopericarditis has never been reported. We aimed to assess the prevalence and significance of de-novo ECG changes following COVID-19 infection. METHODS In this multicentre observational study, between March 2020 and May 2022, we evaluated consecutive athletes with COVID-19 infection. Athletes exhibiting de-novo ECG changes underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans. One club mandated CMR scans for all players (n=30) following COVID-19 infection, despite the absence of cardiac symptoms or de-novo ECG changes. RESULTS 511 soccer players (median age 21 years, IQR 18-26 years) were included. 17 (3%) athletes demonstrated de-novo ECG changes, which included reduction in T-wave amplitude in the inferior and lateral leads (n=5), inferior leads (n=4) and lateral leads (n=4); inferior T-wave inversion (n=7); and ST-segment depression (n=2). 15 (88%) athletes with de-novo ECG changes revealed evidence of inflammatory cardiac sequelae. All 30 athletes who underwent a mandatory CMR scan had normal findings. Athletes revealing de-novo ECG changes had a higher prevalence of cardiac symptoms (71% vs 12%, p<0.0001) and longer median symptom duration (5 days, IQR 3-10) compared with athletes without de-novo ECG changes (2 days, IQR 1-3, p<0.001). Among athletes without cardiac symptoms, the additional yield of de-novo ECG changes to detect cardiac inflammation was 20%. CONCLUSIONS 3% of athletes demonstrated de-novo ECG changes post COVID-19 infection, of which 88% were diagnosed with cardiac inflammation. Most affected athletes exhibited cardiac symptoms; however, de-novo ECG changes contributed to a diagnosis of cardiac inflammation in 20% of athletes without cardiac symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghav T Bhatia
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Aneil Malhotra
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University National Health Service Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Hamish MacLachlan
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sabiha Gati
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sarandeep Marwaha
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nikhil Chatrath
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Saad Fyyaz
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Samar Al-Turaihi
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Aswin Babu
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Joyee Basu
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Paul Catterson
- Department of Medicine, Newcastle United Football Club, Newcastle, UK
| | | | - Joelle J N Daems
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harshil Dhutia
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Filipe Ferrari
- Graduate Program in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Rio, Brazil
| | - Juliette C van Hattum
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- Department of Sports Medicine, Crystal Palace Football Club, London, UK
| | - Alexandros Kasiakogias
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Shafik Khoury
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Chris Miles
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - David Oxborough
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kashif Quazi
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Dhrubo Rakhit
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Anushka Sharma
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Amanda Varnava
- Department of Cardiology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Maria Teresa Tome Esteban
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Gherardo Finocchiaro
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ricardo Stein
- Graduate Program in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Rio, Brazil
| | - Harald T Jorstad
- Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC location, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sanjay Sharma
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St. George's, University of London, St. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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17
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Maceira A, Valenzuela PL, Santos-Lozano A, García-González MP, Ortega LH, Díaz-Gonzalez L, Boraita A, Barranco-Gil D, Lucia A. Myocardial Fibrosis and Coronary Calcifications Caused by Endurance Exercise? Insights from Former Professional Cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:151-157. [PMID: 36136597 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis and coronary calcification in individuals who have performed very high levels of strenuous endurance exercise (SEE; former male professional cyclists) and sex/age-matched controls. METHODS We used a retrospective cohort study design, where cases were former finishers of ≥1 Grand Tour (Tour de France, Giro d' Italia or Vuelta a España) and controls were untrained individuals free of cardiovascular risk. All participants underwent cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computer tomography in the same center during years 2020-2021 to detect myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement) and to quantify coronary calcium, respectively. RESULTS Twenty-three cases (age, 46 ± 6 yr) and 59 controls (47 ± 7 yr) were studied. Fibrotic patches were evidenced only in the left ventricle, with a higher prevalence in cases (23% vs 2% in controls, P = 0.006). However, fibrotic tissue was nonischemic and of low extension (0.6% ± 0.4% of left ventricle mass), and no significant differences were found between cases and controls for native T1 or T2 values. No between-group differences were found for coronary calcium indicators, including Agatston or density scores. Subanalyses revealed no differences attending to whether cases were still performing regular SEE ( n = 8) or not ( n = 15) after professional retirement. CONCLUSIONS Although former professional cyclists seemed to show a greater prevalence of myocardial fibrosis, the extension of fibrotic tissue was minimal and no alterations were found in coronary calcification indicators. While keeping in mind the low sample size of the cases' group, our results do not support evidence for major cardiac maladaptations with long-term exposure to SEE, at least in middle-age adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro L Valenzuela
- Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ("imas12," PaHerg group), Madrid, SPAIN
| | | | | | | | | | - Araceli Boraita
- Department of Cardiology, Sports Medicine Center, Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sports, Madrid, SPAIN
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18
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Left ventricular diastolic filling patterns in competitive triathletes with and without myocardial fibrosis by cardiac magnetic resonance time-volume analysis. Eur J Radiol 2023; 158:110615. [PMID: 36434969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2022.110615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the influence of myocardial fibrosis on left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling patterns in triathletes compared to sedentary controls by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHOD 101 male triathletes (43 ± 11 years) and 28 controls (41 ± 10 years) were recruited and underwent 1.5 T CMR including cine SSFP series, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging and T1 mapping. Functional and morphological parameters were obtained, and CMR-based LV diastolic filling parameters such as the early peak-filling rate (EPFR), atrial peak-filling rate (APFR) and peak-filling rate ratio (PFRR = EPFR/APFR) were determined by time-volume analysis of the cine series. RESULTS Non-ischemic LGE was detected in 20 triathletes (20 %) and in none of the controls. Compared to controls LGE-negative (LGE-) triathletes showed similar EPFR (216 ± 58 ml/s/m2 vs 224 ± 69 ml/s/m2, P = 0.52) but lower APFR (120 ± 46 ml/s/m2 vs 147 ± 55 ml/s/m2, P < 0.05), resulting in higher PFRR (2.1 ± 1 vs 1.6 ± 0.5, P < 0.01). LGE-positive (LGE + ) triathletes had similar EPFR (212 ± 73 ml/s/m2, P = 0.798), but higher APFR (149 ± 50 ml/s/m2, P < 0.05) and decreased PFRR (1.6 ± 0.7, P < 0.05) compared to LGE- triathletes. LGE + triathletes had increased LV mass index (88 ± 10 g/m2 vs 80 ± 12 g/m2, P < 0.01) and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction (26.2 ± 2.7 % vs 24.4 ± 1.7 %, P < 0.001) compared to LGE- triathletes. CONCLUSIONS Athletic activity leads to "supernormal" LV diastolic filling pattern in LGE- triathletes, which may be attributable to increased LV myocardial flexibility and elasticity. However, LGE + triathletes demonstrate a pseudo-normalization characterized by compensatory increase of atrial contraction. Possibly, due to reduced passive elasticity associated myocardial fibrosis.
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19
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Ruberg FL, Baggish AL, Hays AG, Jerosch-Herold M, Kim J, Ordovas KG, Reddy G, Shenoy C, Weinsaft JW, Woodard PK. Utilization of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Resumption of Athletic Activities Following COVID-19 Infection: An Expert Consensus Document on Behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention Leadership and Endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 16:e014106. [PMID: 36541203 PMCID: PMC9848221 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.122.014106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2 is now entering its fourth year with little evidence of abatement. As of December 2022, the World Health Organization Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard reported 643 million cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and 98 million in the United States alone as the country with the highest number of cases. Although pneumonia with lung injury has been the manifestation of COVID-19 principally responsible for morbidity and mortality, myocardial inflammation and systolic dysfunction though uncommon are well-recognized features that also associate with adverse prognosis. Given the broad swath of the population infected with COVID-19, the large number of affected professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes raises concern regarding the safe resumption of athletic activity (return to play) following resolution of infection. A variety of different testing combinations that leverage ECG, echocardiography, circulating cardiac biomarkers, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging have been proposed and implemented to mitigate risk. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in particular affords high sensitivity for myocarditis but has been employed and interpreted nonuniformly in the context of COVID-19 thereby raising uncertainty as to the generalizability and clinical relevance of findings with respect to return to play. This consensus document synthesizes available evidence to contextualize the appropriate utilization of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the return to play assessment of athletes with prior COVID-19 infection to facilitate informed, evidence-based decisions, while identifying knowledge gaps that merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick L. Ruberg
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA (F.L.R.)
| | - Aaron L. Baggish
- Cardiac Performance Program, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (A.L.B.)
| | - Allison G. Hays
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (A.G.H.)
| | - Michael Jerosch-Herold
- Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (M.J.-H.)
| | - Jiwon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY (J.K., J.W.W.)
| | - Karen G. Ordovas
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA (K.G.O., G.R.)
| | - Gautham Reddy
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA (K.G.O., G.R.)
| | - Chetan Shenoy
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN (C.S.)
| | - Jonathan W. Weinsaft
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY (J.K., J.W.W.)
| | - Pamela K. Woodard
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO (P.K.W.)
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20
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Ruberg FL, Baggish AL, Hays AG, Jerosch-Herold M, Kim J, Ordovas KG, Reddy G, Shenoy C, Weinsaft JW, Woodard PK. Utilization of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for resumption of athletic activities following COVID-19 infection: an expert consensus document on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention (CVRI) Leadership and endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR). J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2022; 24:73. [PMID: 36539786 PMCID: PMC9767806 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-022-00907-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by infection with severe acute respiratory suyndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is now entering its 4th year with little evidence of abatement. As of December 2022, the World Health Organization Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard reported 643 million cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide and 98 million in the United States alone as the country with the highest number of cases. While pneumonia with lung injury has been the manifestation of COVID-19 principally responsible for morbidity and mortality, myocardial inflammation and systolic dysfunction though uncommon are well-recognized features that also associate with adverse prognosis. Given the broad swath of the population infected with COVID-19, the large number of affected professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes raises concern regarding the safe resumption of athletic activity (return to play, RTP) following resolution of infection. A variety of different testing combinations that leverage the electrocardiogram, echocardiography, circulating cardiac biomarkers, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging have been proposed and implemented to mitigate risk. CMR in particular affords high sensitivity for myocarditis but has been employed and interpreted non-uniformly in the context of COVID-19 thereby raising uncertainty as to the generalizability and clinical relevance of findings with respect to RTP. This consensus document synthesizes available evidence to contextualize the appropriate utilization of CMR in the RTP assessment of athletes with prior COVID-19 infection to facilitate informed, evidence-based decisions, while identifying knowledge gaps that merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick L Ruberg
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine/Boston Medical Center, Boston University, 72 E Concord St, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Aaron L Baggish
- Cardiac Performance Program, Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allison G Hays
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Jerosch-Herold
- Cardiovascular Imaging Section, Harvard Medical School/Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiwon Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karen G Ordovas
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gautham Reddy
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chetan Shenoy
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jonathan W Weinsaft
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pamela K Woodard
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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21
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LE Douairon Lahaye S, LE Cunuder A, Lachard T, Menard V, Lhuissier F, Dupont AC, Wurtz AS, Marblé C, Carré F, Schnell F. Cardiac Events in World-Class Athletes: An Internet-Based Study. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022; 54:2064-2072. [PMID: 35881931 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of adverse cardiac events, as identified in the media, in world-class athletes according to their sex and sports discipline. METHODS All female and male athletes from 30 individual Olympic sports who ranked in the international yearly top 10 between 2006 and 2018 were included. The name of each of them was associated in a Google search with selected key terms related to heart disease and/or acute cardiac events after their inclusion date. Global and sex-specific adverse cardiac event hazard function λ were calculated for each sport. Global and sex-specific prevalences of cardiac events were calculated, then compared (Fisher's exact test) between all sports. RESULTS From the 2471 athletes included, 15 cases of cardiac events (prevalence of 0.61%) were reported; 2 sudden cardiac deaths (0.08%) occurred in male athletes. The other events were related to arrhythmic events ( n = 13), mainly supraventricular arrhythmias ( n = 9). All surviving athletes were able to continue their career, mostly after ablation procedure. Male endurance athletes accounted for seven events, among which three events occurred among short-distance triathletes. Events among women were comparatively rare ( n = 4), and all were observed among short-distance triathletes. CONCLUSIONS A relatively unexpected high prevalence of cardiac events in endurance elite athletes was observed as compared with other sports, mainly, in short-distance male and female triathletes. This raises the question of particular cardiovascular constraints in this discipline and underlines the urge of international longitudinal follow-up studies in these kinds of athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne LE Cunuder
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SWITZERLAND
| | - Thibault Lachard
- CHU Rennes, Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital of Rennes, Rennes, FRANCE
| | - Vincent Menard
- M2S Laboratory, Ecole Normale Supérieure Rennes, University of Rennes 2, Rennes, FRANCE
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22
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Hypertensive Response to Exercise in Athletes: Unremarkable Finding or Relevant Marker for Future Cardiovascular Complications? Int J Hypertens 2022; 2022:8476751. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/8476751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. In the general population, hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) predicts new-onset resting hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases. Methods. PubMed was searched for English articles published between January 1st 2000 and April 30th 2020. Additional studies were identified via reference lists of included studies. 92 papers were selected for full text analysis, finally 30 studies were included. Results. The results from 5 follow-up studies suggested an association between HRE and the risk of developing hypertension, while 10 studies reported a link with adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. Another study showed an association between HRE and future hypertension in athletes after a follow-up of 7 years. HRE in athletes was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in three studies. Two other studies showed a link between HRE and focal myocardial fibrosis in triathletes and myocardial injury, respectively. One study found lower Apoliprotein-1 serum levels in athletes with HRE leading to a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Only in one study no association with cardiovascular dysfunction in athletes with HRE was found. Conclusions. Based on current evidence, HRE is not a normal finding in athletes. If detected, it should be interpreted as a risk factor for future cardiovascular complications. Future research should address the adequate follow-up and management of athletes with HRE.
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23
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Certainties and Uncertainties of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Athletes. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9100361. [PMID: 36286312 PMCID: PMC9604894 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9100361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged and intensive exercise induces remodeling of all four cardiac chambers, a physiological process which is coined as the “athlete’s heart”. This cardiac adaptation, however, shows overlapping features with non-ischemic cardiomyopathies, such as dilated, arrhythmogenic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, also associated with athlete’s sudden cardiac death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a well-suited, highly reproducible imaging modality that can help differentiate athlete’s heart from cardiomyopathy. CMR allows accurate characterization of the morphology and function of cardiac chambers, providing full coverage of the ventricles. Moreover, it permits an in-depth understanding of the myocardial changes through specific techniques such as mapping or late gadolinium enhancement. In this narrative review, we will focus on the certainties and uncertainties of the role of CMR in sports cardiology. The main aspects of physiological adaptation due to regular and intensive sports activity and the application of CMR in highly trained athletes will be summarized.
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24
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Graziano F, Juhasz V, Brunetti G, Cipriani A, Szabo L, Merkely B, Corrado D, D’Ascenzi F, Vago H, Zorzi A. May Strenuous Endurance Sports Activity Damage the Cardiovascular System of Healthy Athletes? A Narrative Review. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9100347. [PMID: 36286299 PMCID: PMC9604467 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The positive effects of physical activity are countless, not only on the cardiovascular system but on health in general. However, some studies suggest a U-shape relationship between exercise volume and effects on the cardiovascular system. On the basis of this perspective, moderate-dose exercise would be beneficial compared to a sedentary lifestyle, while very high-dose physical activity would paradoxically be detrimental. We reviewed the available evidence on the potential adverse effects of very intense, prolonged exercise on the cardiovascular system, both acute and chronic, in healthy athletes without pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. We found that endurance sports activities may cause reversible electrocardiographic changes, ventricular dysfunction, and troponin elevation with complete recovery within a few days. The theory that repeated bouts of acute stress on the heart may lead to chronic myocardial damage remains to be demonstrated. However, male veteran athletes with a long sports career show an increased prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities such as electrical conduction delay, atrial fibrillation, myocardial fibrosis, and coronary calcifications compared to non-athletes. It must be underlined that the cause-effect relationship between such abnormalities and the exercise and, most importantly, the prognostic relevance of such findings remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Graziano
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Vencel Juhasz
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Giulia Brunetti
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Liliana Szabo
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Béla Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Gaal Jozsef Str. 9-11, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Flavio D’Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Hajnalka Vago
- Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University, Hataror Rd. 18, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Sports Medicine, Semmelweis University, Gaal Jozsef Str. 9-11, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-049-8212322
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25
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Valenzuela PL, Baggish A, Castillo-García A, Santos-Lozano A, Boraita A, Lucia A. Strenuous Endurance Exercise and the Heart: Physiological versus Pathological Adaptations. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:4067-4085. [PMID: 35950659 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Although the benefits of regular physical activity on cardiovascular health are well established, the effects of strenuous endurance exercise (SEE) have been a matter of debate since ancient times. In this article, we aim to provide a balanced overview of what is known about SEE and the heart-from epidemiological evidence to recent cardiac imaging findings. Lifelong SEE is overall cardioprotective, with endurance master athletes showing in fact a youthful heart. Yet, some lines of research remain open, such as the need to elucidate the time-course and potential relevance of transient declines in heart function (or increases in biomarkers of cardiac injury) with SEE. The underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance of SEE-associated atrial fibrillation, myocardial fibrosis, or high coronary artery calcium scores also remain to be elucidated. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:1-19, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro L Valenzuela
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain
| | - Aaron Baggish
- Cardiovascular Performance Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adrián Castillo-García
- Fissac - Physiology, Health and Physical Activity, Madrid, Spain.,Biology Systems Department, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Santos-Lozano
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain.,i+HeALTH, European University Miguel de Cervantes, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Araceli Boraita
- Department of Cardiology, Sports Medicine Center, Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sports, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lucia
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group ('PaHerg'), Research Institute of the Hospital 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), Madrid, Spain.,Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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26
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Burtscher J, Vanderriele PE, Legrand M, Predel HG, Niebauer J, O’Keefe JH, Millet GP, Burtscher M. Could Repeated Cardio-Renal Injury Trigger Late Cardiovascular Sequelae in Extreme Endurance Athletes? Sports Med 2022; 52:2821-2836. [DOI: 10.1007/s40279-022-01734-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRegular exercise confers multifaceted and well-established health benefits. Yet, transient and asymptomatic increases in markers of cardio-renal injury are commonly observed in ultra-endurance athletes during and after competition. This has raised concerns that chronic recurring insults could cause long-term cardiac and/or renal damage. Indeed, extreme endurance exercise (EEE) over decades has sometimes been linked with untoward cardiac effects, but a causal relation with acute injury markers has not yet been established. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on markers of cardiac and/or renal injury in EEE athletes, outline the possible interplay between cardiac and kidney damage, and explore the roles of various factors in the development of potential exercise-related cardiac damage, including underlying diseases, medication, sex, training, competition, regeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In conclusion, despite the undisputed health benefits of regular exercise, we speculate, based on the intimate link between heart and kidney diseases, that in rare cases excessive endurance sport may induce adverse cardio-renal interactions that under specific, hitherto undefined conditions could result in persistent cardiac damage. We highlight future research priorities and provide decision support for athletes and clinical consultants who are seeking safe strategies for participation in EEE training and competition.
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27
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Bioactive Peptides and Exercise Modulate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/FOXO3 Pathway as a Therapeutic Approach for Hypertensive Rats. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070819. [PMID: 35890118 PMCID: PMC9319799 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides are fragments of fundamental protein sequences that may have health benefits in addition to basic dietary benefits. Recently, we have reported on the pharmacological benefits of alcalase potato protein hydrolysate (APPH) and bioactive peptides isolated from APPH. The aim was to evaluate the synergistic effect of exercise along with DIKTNKPVIF (DF) peptides in ameliorating hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) rats. We examined ECG parameters, lipid profiles, cardiac markers, and histology, and quantified the proteins associated with fibrosis, hypertrophy, apoptosis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and longevity pathways. DF peptide administration, along with exercise, reduced the blood pressure and cardiac marker levels in serum. Furthermore, it also suppressed the expression of fibrosis markers COL1A1, CTGF, and uPA and downregulated cardiac-hypertrophy-associated markers such as calcineurin, NFATC3, GATA4, pGATA4 and BNP. Exercise synergistically increases the expression of IFG1, PI3K, and AKT cell-survival pathway proteins, along with DF administration. Moreover, AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/FOXO3 pathway protein expression was increased with the combinatorial administration of DF and exercise. Our data suggest that exercise, along with DF peptides, act synergistically in alleviating hypertension by activating the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway.
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28
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Williamson W, Lewandowski AJ, Huckstep OJ, Lapidaire W, Ooms A, Tan C, Mohamed A, Alsharqi M, Bertagnolli M, Woodward W, Dockerill C, McCourt A, Kenworthy Y, Burchert H, Doherty A, Newton J, Hanssen H, Cruickshank JK, McManus R, Holmes J, Ji C, Love S, Frangou E, Everett C, Hillsdon M, Dawes H, Foster C, Leeson P. Effect of moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise on blood pressure in young adults: The TEPHRA open, two-arm, parallel superiority randomized clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine 2022; 48:101445. [PMID: 35706495 PMCID: PMC9112102 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exercise is advised for young adults with elevated blood pressure, but no trials have investigated efficacy at this age. We aimed to determine whether aerobic exercise, self-monitoring and motivational coaching lowers blood pressure in this group. Methods The study was a single-centre, open, two-arm, parallel superiority randomized clinical trial with open community-based recruitment of physically-inactive 18-35 year old adults with awake 24 h blood pressure 115/75mmHg-159/99 mmHg and BMI<35 kg/m2. The study took place in the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. Participants were randomized (1:1) with minimisation factors sex, age (<24, 24-29, 30-35 years) and gestational age at birth (<32, 32-37, >37 weeks) to the intervention group, who received 16-weeks aerobic exercise training (three aerobic training sessions per week of 60 min per session at 60-80% peak heart rate, physical activity self-monitoring with encouragement to do 10,000 steps per day and motivational coaching to maintain physical activity upon completion of the intervention. The control group were sign-posted to educational materials on hypertension and recommended lifestyle behaviours. Investigators performing statistical analyses were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was 24 h awake ambulatory blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) change from baseline to 16-weeks on an intention-to-treat basis. Clinicaltrials.gov registered on March 30, 2016 (NCT02723552). Findings Enrolment occurred between 30/06/2016-26/10/2018. Amongst the 203 randomized young adults (n = 102 in the intervention group; n = 101 in the control group), 178 (88%; n = 76 intervention group, n = 84 control group) completed 16-week follow-up and 160 (79%; n = 68 intervention group, n = 69 control group) completed 52-weeks follow-up. There were no group differences in awake systolic (0·0 mmHg [95%CI, -2·9 to 2·8]; P = 0·98) or awake diastolic ambulatory blood pressure (0·6 mmHg [95%CI, -1·4. to 2·6]; P = 0·58). Aerobic training increased peak oxygen uptake (2·8 ml/kg/min [95%CI, 1·6 to 4·0]) and peak wattage (14·2watts [95%CI, 7·6 to 20·9]) at 16-weeks. There were no intervention effects at 52-weeks follow-up. Intepretation These results do not support the exclusive use of moderate to high intensity aerobic exercise training for blood pressure control in young adults. Funding Wellcome Trust, British Heart Foundation, National Institute for Health Research, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilby Williamson
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adam James Lewandowski
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Odaro John Huckstep
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Department of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, CO, USA
| | - Winok Lapidaire
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Alexander Ooms
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Cheryl Tan
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Afifah Mohamed
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging & Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Maryam Alsharqi
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Mariane Bertagnolli
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal Research Center (CIUSSS Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal), School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - William Woodward
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Cameron Dockerill
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Annabelle McCourt
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Yvonne Kenworthy
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Holger Burchert
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Aiden Doherty
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Julia Newton
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Henner Hanssen
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Richard McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane Holmes
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Chen Ji
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Warwick, UK
| | - Sharon Love
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elena Frangou
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Colin Everett
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | | | - Helen Dawes
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Charlie Foster
- School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Paul Leeson
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
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Wood G, Kirkevang TS, Agergaard J, Leth S, Hansen ESS, Laustsen C, Larsen AH, Jensen HK, Østergaard LJ, Bøtker HE, Poulsen SH, Kim WY. Cardiac Performance and Cardiopulmonary Fitness After Infection With SARS-CoV-2. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:871603. [PMID: 35647079 PMCID: PMC9136046 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.871603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
AimsPersistent cardiac symptoms are an increasingly reported phenomenon following COVID-19. However, the underlying cause of cardiac symptoms is unknown. This study aimed to identify the underlying causes, if any, of these symptoms 1 year following acute COVID-19 infection.Methods and Results22 individuals with persistent cardiac symptoms were prospectively investigated using echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), 6-min walking test, cardio-pulmonary exercise testing and electrocardiography. A median of 382 days (IQR 368, 442) passed between diagnosis of COVID-19 and investigation. As a cohort their echocardiography, CMR, 6-min walking test and exercise testing results were within the normal ranges. There were no differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (61.45 ± 6.59 %), global longitudinal strain (19.80 ± 3.12 %) or tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (24.96 ± 5.55 mm) as measured by echocardiography compared to a healthy control group. VO2 max (2045.00 ± 658.40 ml/min), % expected VO2 max (114.80 ± 23.08 %) and 6-minute distance walked (608.90 ± 54.51 m) exceeded that expected for the patient cohort, whilst Troponin I (5.59 ± 6.59 ng/l) and Nt-proBNP (88.18 ± 54.27 ng/l) were normal.ConclusionAmong a cohort of 22 patients with self-reported persistent cardiac symptoms, we identified no underlying cardiac disease or reduced cardiopulmonary fitness 1 year following COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Wood
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Gregory Wood
| | - Therese Stegeager Kirkevang
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jane Agergaard
- Department of Infectious Disease, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steffen Leth
- Department of Infectious Disease, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | | | - Christoffer Laustsen
- The MR Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Hostrup Larsen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Kjærulf Jensen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lars Jørgen Østergaard
- Department of Infectious Disease, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans Erik Bøtker
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steen Hvitfeldt Poulsen
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Won Yong Kim
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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30
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De Bosscher R, Heidbuchel H, Claessen G, La Gerche A. Tackling an unmet need in sports cardiology: understanding exercise-induced cardiac remodelling and its clinical consequences. Br J Sports Med 2022; 56:776-777. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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31
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De Bosscher R, Dausin C, Janssens K, Bogaert J, Elliott A, Ghekiere O, Van De Heyning CM, Sanders P, Kalman J, Fatkin D, Herbots L, Willems R, Heidbuchel H, La Gerche A, Claessen G. Rationale and design of the PROspective ATHletic Heart (Pro@Heart) study: long-term assessment of the determinants of cardiac remodelling and its clinical consequences in endurance athletes. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2022; 8:e001309. [PMID: 35368514 PMCID: PMC8935177 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exercise-induced cardiac remodelling (EICR) results from the structural, functional and electrical adaptations to exercise. Despite similar sports participation, EICR varies and some athletes develop phenotypic features that overlap with cardiomyopathies. Training load and genotype may explain some of the variation; however, exercise ‘dose’ has lacked rigorous quantification. Few have investigated the association between EICR and genotype. Objectives (1) To identify the impact of training load and genotype on the variance of EICR in elite endurance athletes and (2) determine how EICR and its determinants are associated with physical performance, health benefits and cardiac pathology. Methods The Pro@Heart study is a multicentre prospective cohort trial. Three hundred elite endurance athletes aged 14–23 years will have comprehensive cardiovascular phenotyping using echocardiography, cardiac MRI, 12-lead ECG, exercise-ECG and 24-hour-Holter monitoring. Genotype will be determined using a custom cardiomyopathy gene panel and high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays. Follow-up will include online tracking of training load. Cardiac phenotyping will be repeated at 2, 5, 10 and 20 years. Results The primary endpoint of the Pro@Heart study is the association of EICR with both training load and genotype. The latter will include rare variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes and polygenic risk scores for cardiovascular traits. Secondary endpoints are the incidence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, physical performance and health benefits and their association with training load and genotype. Conclusion The Pro@Heart study is the first long-term cohort study to assess the impact of training load and genotype on EICR. Trial registration number NCT05164328; ACTRN12618000716268.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben De Bosscher
- Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Cardiology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Kristel Janssens
- Cardiology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jan Bogaert
- Radiology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Elliott
- Cardiology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Olivier Ghekiere
- Cardiology, Jessa Hospital Campus Virga Jesse, Hasselt, Belgium.,Cardivacsular Sciences, University Hasselt Biomedical Research Institute Rehabilitation Research Center, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Caroline M Van De Heyning
- Cardiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium.,Cardiovascular Sciences, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Cardiology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jonathan Kalman
- Cardiology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Diane Fatkin
- Inherited Heart Diseases, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lieven Herbots
- Cardiology, Jessa Hospital Campus Virga Jesse, Hasselt, Belgium.,Cardivacsular Sciences, University Hasselt Biomedical Research Institute Rehabilitation Research Center, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Rik Willems
- Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Cardiology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.,Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - André La Gerche
- Department of Cardiology, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guido Claessen
- Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Cardiology, KU Leuven University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Fyyaz S, Papadakis M. Arrhythmogenesis of Sports: Myth or Reality? Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2022; 11:e05. [PMID: 35734145 PMCID: PMC9194918 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2021.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Regular exercise confers health benefits with cardiovascular mortality risk reduction through a variety of mechanisms. At a population level, evidence suggests that undertaking more exercise has greater benefits. In the modern era of sport, there has been an exponential rise in professional and amateur athletes participating in endurance events, with a progressively better understanding of the associated cardiac adaptations, collectively termed 'athletes heart'. However, emerging data raise questions regarding the risk of potential harm from endurance exercise, with an increased risk of arrhythmia from adverse cardiac remodelling. Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that athletes may exhibit a higher burden of AF, conduction tissue disease, ventricular arrhythmias, a cardiomyopathy-like phenotype and coronary artery disease. In an attempt to separate myth from reality, this review reports on the evidence supporting the notion of 'too much exercise', the purported mechanisms of exercise-induced cardiac arrhythmia and complex interplay with sporting discipline, demographics, genetics and acquired factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Fyyaz
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael Papadakis
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, St George's, University of London, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Findings From Cardiovascular Evaluation of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Collegiate Student-Athletes After Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Clin J Sport Med 2022; 32:103-107. [PMID: 34173780 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The risk of myocardial damage after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been controversial. The purpose of this study is to report the incidence of abnormal cardiovascular findings in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I student-athletes with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. DESIGN This is a case series of student-athletes with SARS-CoV-2 infection and their subsequent cardiac work-up, including troponin level, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. Additional testing was ordered as clinically indicated. SETTING This study was conducted at a single NCAA Division I institution. PARTICIPANTS Student-athletes were included if they tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR or antibody testing [immunoglobulin G (IgG)] from April 15, 2020 to October 31, 2020. INTERVENTION Cardiac testing was conducted as part of postinfection screening. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES This study was designed to quantify abnormal cardiovascular screening results and cardiac diagnoses after SARS-CoV-2 infection in Division I collegiate athletes. RESULTS Fifty-five student-athletes tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of these, 14 (26%) had a positive IgG and 41 (74%) had a positive PCR test. Eight abnormal cardiovascular screening evaluations necessitated further testing including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). Two athletes received new cardiac diagnoses, one probable early cardiomyopathy and one pericarditis, whereas the remaining 6 had normal cMRIs. CONCLUSIONS These data support recent publications which recommend the de-escalation of cardiovascular testing such as cardiac MRI or echocardiogram for athletes who have recovered from asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Continued follow-up of these athletes for sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 is critical.
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Kui P, Polyák A, Morvay N, Tiszlavicz L, Nagy N, Ördög B, Takács H, Leprán I, Farkas A, Papp JG, Jost N, Varró A, Baczkó I, Farkas AS. Long-Term Endurance Exercise Training Alters Repolarization in a New Rabbit Athlete’s Heart Model. Front Physiol 2022; 12:741317. [PMID: 35237176 PMCID: PMC8882986 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.741317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, the effect of long-term exercise training was investigated on myocardial morphological and functional remodeling and on proarrhythmic sensitivity in a rabbit athlete’s heart model. New-Zealand white rabbits were trained during a 12-week long treadmill running protocol and compared with their sedentary controls. At the end of the training protocol, echocardiography, in vivo and in vitro ECG recordings, proarrhythmic sensitivity with dofetilide (nM) were performed in isolated hearts, and action potential duration (APD) measurements at different potassium concentrations (4.5 and 2 mM) were made in the isolated papillary muscles. Expression levels of the slow component of delayed rectifier potassium current and fibrosis synthesis and degradation biomarkers were quantified. Echocardiography showed a significantly dilated left ventricle in the running rabbits. ECG PQ and RR intervals were significantly longer in the exercised group (79 ± 2 vs. 69 ± 2 ms and 325 ± 11 vs. 265 ± 6 ms, p < 0.05, respectively). The in vivo heart rate variability (HRV) (SD of root mean square: 5.2 ± 1.4 ms vs. 1.4 ± 0.2 ms, p < 0.05) and Tpeak-Tend variability were higher in the running rabbits. Bradycardia disappeared in the exercised group in vitro. Dofetilide tended to increase the QTc interval in a greater extent, and significantly increased the number of arrhythmic beats in the trained animals in vitro. APD was longer in the exercised group at a low potassium level. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) showed significantly greater messenger RNA expression of fibrotic biomarkers in the exercised group. Increased repolarization variability and higher arrhythmia incidences, lengthened APD at a low potassium level, increased fibrotic biomarker gene expressions may indicate higher sensitivity of the rabbit “athlete’s heart” to life-threatening arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter Kui
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Polyák
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Working Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Morvay
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Tiszlavicz
- Department of Pathology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Norbert Nagy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Working Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Balázs Ördög
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Hedvig Takács
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Leprán
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Farkas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Julius Gy. Papp
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Working Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Norbert Jost
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Working Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Varró
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-SZTE Working Group of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- *Correspondence: András Varró,
| | - István Baczkó
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila S. Farkas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Symanski JD, Tso JV, Phelan DM, Kim JH. Myocarditis in the Athlete: a focus on COVID-19 sequelae. Clin Sports Med 2022; 41:455-472. [PMID: 35710272 PMCID: PMC8849834 DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Androulakis E, Mouselimis D, Tsarouchas A, Antonopoulos A, Bakogiannis C, Papagkikas P, Vlachopoulos C. The Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Myocardial Fibrosis in Young and Veteran Athletes: Insights From a Meta-Analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:784474. [PMID: 34993239 PMCID: PMC8724053 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.784474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) combined with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) has revealed a non-negligible increased incidence of myocardial fibrosis (MF) in athletes compared to healthy sedentary controls. Objective: The aim of this systematic research and meta-analysis is to investigate and present our perspective regarding CMR indices in athletes compared to sedentary controls, including T1 values, myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) and positive LGE indicative of non-specific fibrosis, also to discuss the differences between young and veteran athletes. Methods: The protocol included searching, up to October 2021, of MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases for original studies assessing fibrosis via CMR in athletes. A mean age of 40 years differentiated studies' athletic populations to veteran and young. Results: The research yielded 14 studies including in total 1,312 individuals. There was a statistically significant difference in LGE fibrosis between the 118/759 athletes and 16/553 controls (Z = 5.2, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%, PI = 0.45). Notably, LGE fibrosis differed significantly between 546 (14.6%) veteran and 140 (25.7%) young athletes (P = 0.002). At 1.5T, T1 values differed between 117 athletes and 48 controls (P < 0.0001). A statistically significant difference was also shown at 3T (110 athletes vs. 41 controls, P = 0.0004), as well as when pooling both 1.5T and 3T populations (P < 0.00001). Mean ECV showed no statistically significant difference between these groups. Conclusions: Based on currently available data, we reported that overall LGE based non-specific fibrosis and T1 values differ between athletes and sedentary controls, in contrast to ECV values. Age of athletes seems to have impact on the incidence of MF. Future prospective studies should focus on the investigation of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Androulakis
- Royal Brompton Hospital, Imaging Centre, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dimitrios Mouselimis
- Third Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasios Tsarouchas
- Third Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexios Antonopoulos
- Unit of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, First Cardiology Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Panagiotis Papagkikas
- Royal Brompton Hospital, Imaging Centre, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charalambos Vlachopoulos
- Unit of Inherited Cardiac Conditions, First Cardiology Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Hamad AS. Risk of sudden cardiac death and preventive measures in athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR ACADEMY 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/ijca.ijca_17_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Rao SJ, Shah AB. Exercise and the Female Heart. Clin Ther 2021; 44:41-49. [PMID: 34930659 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Female participation in sport has increased sharply during the last few decades, and for the third straight Olympic Games, there were more women than men on the US roster for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Given this, an understanding of the differences between men and women with respect to exercise-induced cardiac remodeling is critical for those caring for female athletes. Recent studies have provided insight into female-specific cardiac remodeling and have enhanced our understanding on the upper limits of cardiac remodeling in female athletes and how these adaptations compare with sedentary females, male athletes, and cardiomyopathies. Female athletes display fewer signs of adaptive remodeling on ECG compared with male athletes. Structurally, male athletes have larger absolute cardiac dimensions, but female athletes have similar or larger chamber size when adjusted for body size. Female athletes have a lower incidence of sudden cardiac arrest or death compared with male athletes in the early competitive years (high school, college, and professional) and in the masters athlete years. In addition, female athletes are less likely to have coronary disease and atrial fibrillation compared with male athletes. Data on longevity indicate that female athletes live longer than their sedentary counterparts. Unlike men, there has been no convincing association of extreme exercise and cardiovascular disease in longer-term endurance female athletes. The underlying mechanisms of these sex-based differences are not very well understood, and future studies are warranted to better understand the mechanisms of cardiac adaptation in female athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiavax J Rao
- Department of Medicine, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ankit B Shah
- Sports & Performance Cardiology Program, MedStar Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
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Chen H, Warncke ML, Muellerleile K, Saering D, Beitzen-Heineke A, Kisters A, Swiderska M, Cavus E, Jahnke CM, Adam G, Lund GK, Tahir E. Acute impact of an endurance race on biventricular and biatrial myocardial strain in competitive male and female triathletes evaluated by feature-tracking CMR. Eur Radiol 2021; 32:3423-3435. [PMID: 34902061 PMCID: PMC9038901 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08401-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Cardiac adaptation in endurance athletes is a well-known phenomenon, but the acute impact of strenuous exercise is rarely reported on. The aim of this study was to analyze the alterations in biventricular and biatrial function in triathletes after an endurance race using novel feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance (FT-CMR). Methods Fifty consecutive triathletes (45 ± 10 years; 80% men) and twenty-eight controls were prospectively recruited, and underwent 1.5-T CMR. Biventricular and biatrial volumes, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), FT-CMR analysis, and late gadolinium imaging (LGE) were performed. Global systolic longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial strain (GRS) were assessed. CMR was performed at baseline and following an endurance race. High-sensitive troponin T and NT-proBNP were determined. The time interval between race completion and CMR was 2.3 ± 1.1 h (range 1–5 h). Results Post-race troponin T (p < 0.0001) and NT-proBNP (p < 0.0001) were elevated. LVEF remained constant (62 ± 6 vs. 63 ± 7%, p = 0.607). Post-race LV GLS decreased by tendency (− 18 ± 2 vs. − 17 ± 2%, p = 0.054), whereas GCS (− 16 ± 4 vs. − 18 ± 4%, p < 0.05) and GRS increased (39 ± 11 vs. 44 ± 11%, p < 0.01). Post-race right ventricular GLS (− 19 ± 3 vs. − 19 ± 3%, p = 0.668) remained constant and GCS increased (− 7 ± 2 vs. − 8 ± 3%, p < 0.001). Post-race left atrial GLS (30 ± 8 vs. 24 ± 6%, p < 0.0001) decreased while right atrial GLS remained constant (25 ± 6 vs. 24 ± 6%, p = 0.519). Conclusions The different alterations of post-race biventricular and biatrial strain might constitute an intrinsic compensatory mechanism following an acute bout of endurance exercise. The combined use of strain parameters may allow a better characterization of ventricular and atrial function in endurance athletes. Key Points • Triathletes demonstrate a decrease of LV global longitudinal strain by tendency and constant RV global longitudinal strain following an endurance race. • Post-race LV and RV global circumferential and radial strains increase, possibly indicating a compensatory mechanism after an acute endurance exercise bout. • Subgroup analyses of male triathletes with focal myocardial fibrosis did not demonstrate alterations in biventricular and biatrial strain after an endurance race. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00330-021-08401-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Chen
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte L Warncke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kai Muellerleile
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dennis Saering
- Information Technology and Image Processing, University of Applied Sciences, Wedel, Germany
| | - Antonia Beitzen-Heineke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, BMT With Department of Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anna Kisters
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Monika Swiderska
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ersin Cavus
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte M Jahnke
- Department of General and Interventional Cardiology, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunnar K Lund
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Enver Tahir
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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Rajan D, Garcia R, Svane J, Tfelt-Hansen J. Risk of sports-related sudden cardiac death in women. Eur Heart J 2021; 43:1198-1206. [PMID: 34894223 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a tragic incident accountable for up to 50% of deaths from cardiovascular disease. Sports-related SCD (SrSCD) is a phenomenon which has previously been associated with both competitive and recreational sport activities. SrSCD has been found to occur 5-33-fold less frequently in women than in men, and the sex difference persists despite a rapid increase in female participation in sports. Establishing the reasons behind this difference could pinpoint targets for improved prevention of SrSCD. Therefore, this review summarizes existing knowledge on epidemiology, characteristics, and causes of SrSCD in females, and elaborates on proposed mechanisms behind the sex differences. Although literature concerning the aetiology of SrSCD in females is limited, proposed mechanisms include sex-specific variations in hormones, blood pressure, autonomic tone, and the presentation of acute coronary syndromes. Consequently, these biological differences impact the degree of cardiac hypertrophy, dilation, right ventricular remodelling, myocardial fibrosis, and coronary atherosclerosis, and thereby the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in male and female athletes associated with short- and long-term exercise. Finally, cardiac examinations such as electrocardiograms and echocardiography are useful tools allowing easy differentiation between physiological and pathological cardiac adaptations following exercise in women. However, as a significant proportion of SrSCD causes in women are non-structural or unexplained after autopsy, channelopathies may play an important role, encouraging attention to prodromal symptoms and family history. These findings will aid in the identification of females at high risk of SrSCD and development of targeted prevention for female sport participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepthi Rajan
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Section 2142, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Rodrigue Garcia
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Section 2142, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,The Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Poitiers, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Jesper Svane
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Section 2142, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Frederik V's Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- The Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Section 2142, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.,Department of Forensic Medicine, Copenhagen University, Frederik V's Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Fan D, Kassiri Z. Modulation of Cardiac Fibrosis in and Beyond Cells. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:750626. [PMID: 34778374 PMCID: PMC8578679 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.750626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays important roles in maintaining physiological structure and functions of various tissues and organs. Cardiac fibrosis is the excess deposition of ECM, including both fibrillar (collagens I and III) and non-fibrillar proteins. Characteristics of fibrosis can vary depending on the pathology, with focal fibrosis occurring following myocardial infarction (MI), and diffuse interstitial and perivascular fibrosis mainly in non-ischemic heart diseases. Compliance of the fibrotic tissue is significantly lower than the normal myocardium, and this can compromise the diastolic, as well as systolic dysfunction. Therefore, strategies to combat cardiac fibrosis have been investigated. Upon injury or inflammation, activated cardiac fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) produce more ECM proteins and cause fibrosis. The activation could be inhibited or the myofibroblasts could be ablated by targeting their specific expressed proteins. Modulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and moderate exercise can also suppress cardiac fibrosis. More recently, sex differences in cardiac fibrosis have come to light with differential fibrotic response in heart diseases as well as in fibroblast functions in vitro. This mini-review discusses recent progress in cardiac fibroblasts, TIMPs, sex differences and exercise in modulation of cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Fan
- Department of Pathology, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Zamaneh Kassiri
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Martínez-Solé J, Sabater-Molina M, Braza-Boïls A, Santos-Mateo JJ, Molina P, Martínez-Dolz L, Gimeno JR, Zorio E. Facts and Gaps in Exercise Influence on Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: New Insights From a Meta-Analysis Approach. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:702560. [PMID: 34733888 PMCID: PMC8558346 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.702560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic cardiac condition characterized by fibrofatty myocardial replacement, either at the right ventricle, at the left ventricle, or with biventricular involvement. Ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure represent its main clinical features. Exercise benefits on mental and physical health are worldwide recognized. However, patients with ACM appear to be an exception. A thorough review of the literature was performed in PubMed searching for original papers with the terms “ARVC AND sports/exercise” and “sudden cardiac death AND sports/exercise.” Additional papers were then identified through other sources and incorporated to the list. All of them had to be based on animal models or clinical series. Information was structured in a regular format, although some data were not available in some papers. A total of 34 papers were selected and processed regarding sports-related sudden cardiac death, pre-clinical models of ACM and sport, and clinical series of ACM patients engaged in sports activities. Eligible papers were identified to obtain pooled data in order to build representative figures showing the global incidence of the most important causes of sudden cardiac death in sports and the global estimates of life-threatening arrhythmic events in ACM patients engaged in sports. Tables and figures illustrate their major characteristics. The scarce points of controversy were discussed in the text. Fundamental concepts were summarized in three main issues: sports may accelerate ACM phenotype with either structural and/or arrhythmic features, restriction may soften the progression, and these rules also apply to phenotype-negative mutation carriers. Additionally, remaining gaps in the current knowledge were also highlighted, namely, the applicability of those fundamental concepts to non-classical ACM phenotypes since left dominant ACM or non-plakophillin-2 genotypes were absent or very poorly represented in the available studies. Hopefully, future research endeavors will provide solid evidence about the safest exercise dose for each patient from a personalized medicine perspective, taking into account a big batch of genetic, epigenetic, and epidemiological variables, for instance, in order to assist clinicians to provide a final tailored recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Martínez-Solé
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Sabater-Molina
- Laboratorio de Cardiogenética, Unidad de Cardiopatías Familiares, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain.,Unidad CSUR (Centros, Servicios y Unidades de Referencia) en Cardiopatías Familiares, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.,CIBERCV, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cardiovascular Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aitana Braza-Boïls
- CIBERCV, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cardiovascular Diseases, Madrid, Spain.,Unidad de Cardiopatías Familiares, Muerte Súbita y Mecanismos de Enfermedad (CaFaMuSMe), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J Santos-Mateo
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Molina
- Unidad de Cardiopatías Familiares, Muerte Súbita y Mecanismos de Enfermedad (CaFaMuSMe), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses de Valencia, Histology Unit, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Martínez-Dolz
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,CIBERCV, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cardiovascular Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan R Gimeno
- Unidad CSUR (Centros, Servicios y Unidades de Referencia) en Cardiopatías Familiares, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.,CIBERCV, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cardiovascular Diseases, Madrid, Spain.,Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - Esther Zorio
- Cardiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,CIBERCV, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Cardiovascular Diseases, Madrid, Spain.,Unidad de Cardiopatías Familiares, Muerte Súbita y Mecanismos de Enfermedad (CaFaMuSMe), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Absence of cardiac damage induced by long-term intensive endurance exercise training: A cardiac magnetic resonance and exercise echocardiography analysis in masters athletes. Am J Prev Cardiol 2021; 7:100196. [PMID: 34611636 PMCID: PMC8387285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpc.2021.100196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Endurance long-term high level of training induces significant cardiac remodelling involving all cardiac chambers, also known as ‘athletes-heart”. Both left and right ventricular longitudinal strain increases significantly at exercise. Cardiac extracellular volume is normal in master athletes and there is no evidence of cardiac fibrosis induced by long term endurance training in master athletes. There is no evidence of cardiac damage induced by intensive endurance training in healthy asymptomatic master athletes.
Objectives It is under debate whether the long-term practice of intensive endurance exercise induces chronic cardiac damage such as myocardial fibrosis and ventricle contractile dysfunction. Multimodality analysis was performed to evaluate myocardial damage induced by long term intensive endurance training in master athletes. Methods Thirty-three asymptomatic endurance master athletes (47 ± 6 year-old, 9,6 ± 1,7 h training/week for 26 ± 6 years), were compared to 18 sedentary controls (49 ± 7 year-old). They underwent a CMR protocol including 4 chambers morphological and late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) analysis, left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) T1 mapping and calculation of cardiac extracellular volume (ECV). A maximal exercise echocardiography with left and right ventricular longitudinal global strain (LGS) analysis was performed. Cardiac biomarkers of fibrosis (high sensitive cardiac Troponin T, N-Terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I and N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III) were analysed. Results Athletes had larger left and right atrial volume, LV and RV end diastolic volume and increased LV and RV mass compared to controls. LGE was not found in athletes. Native T1 values of LV and RV were not significantly different in athletes compared with controls. ECV was normal in both groups (21,5%± 1,6% [18.3 – 23%] in athletes, 22%± 2,2% [18.5 – 27%] in controls). LV and RV peak exercise LGS values were higher in athletes. Cardiac biomarkers levels were normal. Conclusion Despite significant physiological cardiac remodelling, consistent with previous descriptions of athlete's heart, there was no evidence of myocardial fibrosis or exercise left or right ventricular dysfunction or cardiac fibrosis in endurance athletes. Our results are not supporting the hypothesis of deleterious cardiac effects induced by long term and intensive endurance exercise training.
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Left Cardiac Remodelling Assessed by Echocardiography Is Associated with Rho-Kinase Activation in Long-Distance Runners. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:jcdd8100118. [PMID: 34677187 PMCID: PMC8541355 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8100118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This single-blind and cross-sectional study evaluated the role of Rho-kinase (ROCK) as a biomarker of the cardiovascular remodelling process assessed by echocardiography in competitive long-distance runners (LDRs) during the training period before a marathon race. Thirty-six healthy male LDRs (37.0 ± 5.3 years; 174.0 ± 7.0 height; BMI: 23.8 ± 2.8; V˙ O2-peak: 56.5 ± 7.3 mL·kg-1·min-1) were separated into two groups according to previous training level: high-training (HT, n = 16) ≥ 100 km·week-1 and low-training (LT, n = 20) ≥ 70 and < 100 km·week-1. Also, twenty-one healthy nonactive subjects were included as a control group (CTR). A transthoracic echocardiography was performed and ROCK activity levels in circulating leukocytes were measured at rest (48 h without exercising) the week before the race. The HT group showed a higher left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) than other groups (p < 0.05, for both); also, higher levels of ROCK activity were found in LDRs (HT = 6.17 ± 1.41 vs. CTR = 1.64 ± 0.66 (p < 0.01); vs. LT = 2.74 ± 0.84; (p < 0.05)). In LDRs a direct correlation between ROCK activity levels and LVMi (r = 0.83; p < 0.001), and LAVi (r = 0.70; p < 0.001) were found. In conclusion, in male competitive long-distance runners, the load of exercise implicated in marathon training is associated with ROCK activity levels and the left cardiac remodelling process assessed by echocardiography.
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Potential Long-Term Health Problems Associated with Ultra-Endurance Running: A Narrative Review. Sports Med 2021; 52:725-740. [PMID: 34542868 PMCID: PMC8450723 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01561-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that physical activity reduces all-cause mortality and can prolong life. Ultra-endurance running (UER) is an extreme sport that is becoming increasingly popular, and comprises running races above marathon distance, exceeding 6 h, and/or running fixed distances on multiple days. Serious acute adverse events are rare, but there is mounting evidence that UER may lead to long-term health problems. The purpose of this review is to present the current state of knowledge regarding the potential long-term health problems derived from UER, specifically potential maladaptation in key organ systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, renal, immunological, gastrointestinal, neurological, and integumentary systems. Special consideration is given to youth, masters, and female athletes, all of whom may be more susceptible to certain long-term health issues. We present directions for future research into the pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin athlete susceptibility to long-term issues. Although all body systems can be affected by UER, one of the clearest effects of endurance exercise is on the cardiovascular system, including right ventricular dysfunction and potential increased risk of arrhythmias and hypertension. There is also evidence that rare cases of acute renal injury in UER could lead to progressive renal scarring and chronic kidney disease. There are limited data specific to female athletes, who may be at greater risk of certain UER-related health issues due to interactions between energy availability and sex-hormone concentrations. Indeed, failure to consider sex differences in the design of female-specific UER training programs may have a negative impact on athlete longevity. It is hoped that this review will inform risk stratification and stimulate further research about UER and the implications for long-term health.
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Myocardial injury detected by T1 and T2 mapping on CMR predicts subsequent cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction in patients with breast cancer treated by epirubicin-based chemotherapy or left-sided RT. Eur Radiol 2021; 32:1853-1865. [PMID: 34536111 PMCID: PMC8831341 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08260-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a relevant clinical problem and needs early prediction. This study aimed to analyze myocardial injury using serial laboratory and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) parameters after epirubicin-based chemotherapy compared with left-sided radiotherapy and to study their value for early prediction of CTRCD. Methods Sixty-six consecutive women (53 ± 13 years) including n = 39 with epirubicin-based chemotherapy and n = 27 with left-sided radiotherapy were prospectively studied by 3 T CMR including left ventricular (LV) mass and volumes for ejection fraction (LVEF), as well as feature-tracking with global longitudinal strain (GLS) and T1/T2 mapping. CMR was performed at baseline, at therapy completion (follow-up 1, FU1), and after 13 ± 2 months (FU2). CTRCD was defined as LVEF decline of at least 10% to < 55% or a > 15% GLS change at FU2. Results T1 and T2 increased at FU1 after epirubicin-based chemotherapy, but not after left-sided radiotherapy. CTRCD occurred in 20% of patients after epirubicin-based chemotherapy and in 4% after left-sided radiotherapy. T1 at FU1 was the best single parameter to predict CTRCD with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.712 (CI 0.587–0.816, p = 0.005) with excellent sensitivity (100%, 66–100%), but low specificity (44%, 31–58%). Combined use of increased T1 and LVEF ≤ 60% at FU1 improved AUC to 0.810 (0.695–0.896) resulting in good sensitivity (78%, 44–95%) and specificity (84%, 72–92%). Conclusion Only epirubicin-based chemotherapy, but not left-sided radiotherapy, resulted in increased T1/T2 myocardial relaxation times as a marker of myocardial injury. Combined use of CMR parameters may allow an early prediction of subsequent CTCRD. Key Points • Myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation times increased at FU1 after epirubicin-based chemotherapy, but not after left-sided radiotherapy. • Cancer therapy–related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) occurred in 20% of patients after epirubicin-based chemotherapy and in 4% after left-sided radiotherapy. • Combined use of increased T1 and reduced LVEF had an AUC of 0.810 (0.695–0.896) to predict CTRCD with good sensitivity (78%, 44–95%) and specificity (84%, 72–92%). Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00330-021-08260-7.
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de Souza FR, Dos Santos MR, Rochitte CE, Dos Santos RP, Jordão CP, Leite IS, da Fonseca GWP, Fonseca RA, de Oliveira TF, Yonamine M, Pereira RMR, Negrão CE, Alves DNNMJ. Decreased Native T1 Values and Impaired Myocardial Contractility in Anabolic Steroid Users. Int J Sports Med 2021; 43:183-191. [PMID: 34341973 DOI: 10.1055/a-1518-7953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse leads to myocardial toxicity. Human studies are conflicting about the myocardial fibrosis in AAS users. We evaluated cardiac tissue characterization, left ventricle (LV) function, and cardiac structure by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Twenty strength-trained AAS users (AASU) aged 29±5 yr, 20 strength-trained AAS nonusers (AASNU), and 7 sedentary controls (SC) were enrolled. Native T1 mapping, late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE), extracellular volume (ECV), and myocardial strain were evaluated. AASU showed lower Native T1 values than AASNU (888±162 vs. 1020±179 ms p=0.047). Focal myocardial fibrosis was found in 2 AASU. AASU showed lower LV radial strain (30±8 vs. 38±6%, p<0.01), LV circumferential strain (-17±3 vs. -20±2%, p<0.01), and LV global longitudinal strain (-17±3 vs. -20±3%, p<0.01) than AASNU by CMR. By echocardiography, AASU demonstrated lower 4-chamber longitudinal strain than AASNU (-15±g3 vs. -18±2%, p=0.03). ECV was similar among AASU, AASNU, and SC (28±10 vs. 28±7 vs. 30±7%, p=0.93). AASU had higher LV mass index than AASNU and SC (85±14 vs. 64±8 vs. 58±5 g/m2, respectively, p<0.01). AAS abuse may be linked to decreased myocardial native T1 values, impaired myocardial contractility, and focal fibrosis. These alterations may be associated with maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy in young AAS users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Ribeiro de Souza
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Rodrigues Dos Santos
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Rochitte
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Parenquine Dos Santos
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Paixão Jordão
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivanhoe Stuart Leite
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Almeida Fonseca
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiago Franco de Oliveira
- Departamento de Farmacociências da Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maurício Yonamine
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas da Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Rodrigues Pereira
- Laboratório de Metabolismo Ósseo, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Negrão
- Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Escola de Educação Física e Esporte da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Giusca S, Steen H, Montenbruck M, Patel AR, Pieske B, Erley J, Kelle S, Korosoglou G. Multi-parametric assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy using late gadolinium enhancement, T1 mapping and strain-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2021; 23:92. [PMID: 34247623 PMCID: PMC8273957 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-021-00775-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the ability of single heartbeat fast-strain encoded (SENC) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived myocardial strain to discriminate between different forms of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH). METHODS 314 patients (228 with hypertensive heart disease (HHD), 45 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 41 with amyloidosis, 22 competitive athletes, and 33 healthy controls) were systematically analysed. LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass index and interventricular septal (IVS) thickness, T1 mapping and atypical late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were assessed. In addition, the percentage of LV myocardial segments with strain ≤ - 17% (%normal myocardium) was determined. RESULTS Patients with amyloidosis and HCM exhibited the highest IVS thickness (17.4 ± 3.3 mm and 17.4 ± 6 mm, respectively, p < 0.05 vs. all other groups), whereas patients with amyloidosis showed the highest LV mass index (95.1 ± 20.1 g/m2, p < 0.05 vs all others) and lower LVEF compared to controls (50.5 ± 9.8% vs 59.2 ± 5.5%, p < 0.05). Analysing subjects with mild to moderate hypertrophy (IVS 11-15 mm), %normal myocardium exhibited excellent and high precision, respectively for the differentiation between athletes vs. HCM (sensitivity and specificity = 100%, Area under the curve; AUC%normalmyocardium = 1.0, 95%CI = 0.85-1.0) and athletes vs. HHD (sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 75%, AUC%normalmyocardium = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.78-0.90). Combining %normal myocardial strain with atypical LGE provided high accuracy also for the differentiation of HHD vs. HCM (sensitivity = 82%, specificity = 100%, AUCcombination = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.88-0.95) and HCM vs. amyloidosis (sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 100%, AUCcombination = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.60-0.96). CONCLUSION Fast-SENC derived myocardial strain is a valuable tool for differentiating between athletes vs. HCM and athletes vs. HHD. Combining strain and LGE data is useful for differentiating between HHD vs. HCM and HCM vs. cardiac amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Giusca
- Departments of Cardiology, Vascular Medicine and Pneumology, GRN Hospital Weinheim, Roentgenstrasse 1, 69469, Weinheim, Germany
| | - Henning Steen
- Department of Cardiology, Marien Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Amit R Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Burkert Pieske
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Erley
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kelle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Grigorios Korosoglou
- Departments of Cardiology, Vascular Medicine and Pneumology, GRN Hospital Weinheim, Roentgenstrasse 1, 69469, Weinheim, Germany.
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Cardiac Biomarkers and Autoantibodies in Endurance Athletes: Potential Similarities with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Pathogenic Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126500. [PMID: 34204386 PMCID: PMC8235133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The “Extreme Exercise Hypothesis” states that when individuals perform training beyond the ideal exercise dose, a decline in the beneficial effects of physical activity occurs. This is due to significant changes in myocardial structure and function, such as hemodynamic alterations, cardiac chamber enlargement and hypertrophy, myocardial inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and conduction changes. In addition, an increased amount of circulating biomarkers of exercise-induced damage has been reported. Although these changes are often reversible, long-lasting cardiac damage may develop after years of intense physical exercise. Since several features of the athlete’s heart overlap with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), the syndrome of “exercise-induced ACM” has been postulated. Thus, the distinction between ACM and the athlete’s heart may be challenging. Recently, an autoimmune mechanism has been discovered in ACM patients linked to their characteristic junctional impairment. Since cardiac junctions are similarly impaired by intense physical activity due to the strong myocardial stretching, we propose in the present work the novel hypothesis of an autoimmune response in endurance athletes. This investigation may deepen the knowledge about the pathological remodeling and relative activated mechanisms induced by intense endurance exercise, potentially improving the early recognition of whom is actually at risk.
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Patel R, Kemp CL, Hafejee M, Peckham N, Jain V, McCann GP, Pallikadavath S. The Underrepresentation of Females in Studies Assessing the Impact of High-Dose Exercise on Cardiovascular Outcomes: a Scoping Review. SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN 2021; 7:30. [PMID: 33914201 PMCID: PMC8085142 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-021-00320-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
High-dose exercise-induced cardiac outcomes may vary between sexes. However, many studies investigating the cardiovascular effects of high-dose exercise have excluded or under-recruited females. This scoping review aimed to describe the recruitment of females in studies assessing the impact of high-dose exercise on cardiovascular outcomes and describe how this has changed over time. This scoping review followed the protocol outlined by Arksey and O’Malley and is reported as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The OVID and EMBASE databases were searched for studies that assessed the effects of high-dose exercise on cardiovascular outcomes. Both professional and nonprofessional groups were included. The review found 2973 studies, and 250 met the inclusion criteria including cumulatively 17,548,843 subjects. Over half the studies (n = 127) excluded females entirely, and only 8 (3.2%) studies recruited all-female participants. The overall mean percentage of females recruited was 18.2%. The mean percentage was 14.5% in studies conducted before 2011 and 21.8% in studies conducted after 2011. Females are an underrepresented group in studies assessing the cardiovascular outcomes related to high-dose exercise. As cardiovascular outcomes vary between sexes, translating findings from a largely male-based evidence may not be appropriate. Future investigators should aim to establish and overcome barriers to female recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Patel
- College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Caitlin L Kemp
- College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Nicholas Peckham
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vageesh Jain
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gerry P McCann
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Susil Pallikadavath
- NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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