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Palermi S, Sperlongano S, Mandoli GE, Pastore MC, Lisi M, Benfari G, Ilardi F, Malagoli A, Russo V, Ciampi Q, Cameli M, D’Andrea A. Exercise Stress Echocardiography in Athletes: Applications, Methodology, and Challenges. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7678. [PMID: 38137747 PMCID: PMC10743501 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247678] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores the role of exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in assessing cardiovascular health in athletes. Athletes often exhibit cardiovascular adaptations because of rigorous physical training, making the differentiation between physiological changes and potential pathological conditions challenging. ESE is a crucial diagnostic tool, offering detailed insights into an athlete's cardiac function, reserve, and possible arrhythmias. This review highlights the methodology of ESE, emphasizing its significance in detecting exercise-induced anomalies and its application in distinguishing between athlete's heart and other cardiovascular diseases. Recent advancements, such as LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work (MW), are introduced as innovative tools for the early detection of latent cardiac dysfunctions. However, the use of ESE also subsumes limitations and possible pitfalls, particularly in interpretation and potential false results, as explained in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Palermi
- Public Health Department, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Simona Sperlongano
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.S.); (V.R.)
| | - Giulia Elena Mandoli
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.M.); (M.C.P.); (M.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Concetta Pastore
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.M.); (M.C.P.); (M.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Matteo Lisi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.M.); (M.C.P.); (M.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Giovanni Benfari
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy;
| | - Federica Ilardi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Malagoli
- Division of Cardiology, Nephro-Cardiovascular Department, Baggiovara Hospital, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41126 Modena, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Russo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.S.); (V.R.)
| | - Quirino Ciampi
- Cardiology Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 82100 Benevento, Italy;
| | - Matteo Cameli
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.M.); (M.C.P.); (M.L.); (M.C.)
| | - Antonello D’Andrea
- Department of Cardiology, Umberto I Hospital, 84014 Nocera Inferiore, Italy
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The quest for determination of standard reference values of right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Echocardiogr 2023; 21:1-15. [PMID: 36280647 DOI: 10.1007/s12574-022-00592-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Right ventricular function is strongly associated with clinical outcomes in many conditions, and the evaluation of right ventricle (RV) structure and function in patients with cardiopulmonary disorders is an essential component of clinical management. The objective of this study was to determine the normal ranges of right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) measurements derived by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, ClinicalKey, and CINAHL. Search terms covered the concepts of right ventricle, strain, speckle-tracking, and 2D echocardiography with additional filtering for humans and adults over the last decade. The RV four-chamber longitudinal strain (RV4CLS), RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), and free wall longitudinal segmental strain values of healthy individuals without cardiopulmonary diseases from 28 studies were assessed. Weighted means were estimated using random-effects models in a meta-analysis. The results show for RV4CLS -24,91%[CI - 25.94; - 23.88, I2 98%], for RVFWLS -27.63%[CI - 28.78; - 26.48, I2 98%], for basal RVFWLS -26.65%[CI - 30.57; - 22.73, I2 99%], mid RVFWLS -27.61%[CI - 30.99; - 24.22, I2 99%] and apical RVFWLS -24.54%[CI - 26.70; - 22.38, I2 98%]. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed longitudinal strain values of 2D STE derived RV. No clear reference value for RV strain can be distilled from the literature search due to high statistical heterogeneity between the studies. However, all results of our analysis suggest that the lower reference values for RVLS in the current recommendations with a cut-off value of - 20% is underestimated.
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Liu PY, Tsai KZ, Lima JAC, Lavie CJ, Lin GM. Athlete's Heart in Asian Military Males: The CHIEF Heart Study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:725852. [PMID: 34660727 PMCID: PMC8511640 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.725852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Elite athlete's heart is characterized by a greater left ventricular mass indexed by body surface area (LVMI) and diastolic function; however previous studies are mainly conducted in non-Asian athletes compared to sedentary controls. Methods: This study included 1,388 male adults, aged 18–34 years, enrolled in the same unified 6-month physical training program in Taiwan. During the midterm exams of 2020, all trainees completed a 3-km run (endurance) test, and 577 were randomly selected to attend a 2-min push-up (muscular strength) test. Elite athletes were defined as the performance of each exercise falling one standard deviation above the mean (16%). Cardiac structure and function were measured by echocardiography and compared between elite and non-elite athletes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of elite athlete status at each exercise modality. Results: As compared to non-elite controls, elite endurance athletes had greater LVMI (84.4 ± 13.6 vs. 80.5 ± 12.9 g/m2, p < 0.001) and lateral mitral E'/A' ratio (2.37 ± 0.73 vs. 2.22 ± 0.76, p < 0.01) with lower late diastolic A' (7.77 ± 2.16 vs. 8.30 ± 3.69 cm/s, p = 0.03). Elite strength athletes had greater LVMI (81.8 ± 11.4 vs. 77.5 ± 12.1, p = 0.004) and lateral mitral E'/A' ratio (2.36 ± 0.70 vs. 2.11 ± 0.71, p < 0.01) with a greater early diastolic E' (19.30 ± 4.06 vs. 18.18 ± 4.05 cm/s, p = 0.02). Greater LVMI and lower heart rate were independent predictors of elite endurance athletes [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.03 (1.02, 1.04) and 0.96 (0.95, 0.98), respectively]. Greater LVMI, lateral mitral E'/A' ratio and right ventricular systolic pressure were independent predictors of elite strength athletes [OR: 1.03 (1.01, 1.05), 1.50 (1.06, 2.12), and 1.12 (1.05, 1.19), respectively]. Conclusions: Cardiac structural and functional characteristics differ between endurance and strength elite athletes. While greater LVMI predicts elite status in both groups of Asian athletes, consistent with findings from Western elite athletes, greater diastolic function, and right ventricular systolic pressure characterize strength elite athletes, while lower heart rate at rest predicts endurance elite athletic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pang-Yen Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Zhe Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Joao A C Lima
- Departments of Cardiology and Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Carl J Lavie
- Ochsner Clinical School, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Gen-Min Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hualien Armed Forces General Hospital, Hualien City, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
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Dawkins TG, Curry BA, Wright SP, Meah VL, Yousef Z, Eves ND, Shave RE, Stembridge M. Right Ventricular Function and Region-Specific Adaptation in Athletes Engaged in High-Dynamic Sports: A Meta-Analysis. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 14:e012315. [PMID: 33993732 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.120.012315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural remodeling of the right ventricle (RV) is widely documented in athletes. However, functional adaptation, including RV pressure generation and systolic free-wall longitudinal mechanics, remains equivocal. This meta-analysis compared RV pressure and function in athletes and controls. METHODS A systematic review of online databases was conducted up to June 4, 2020. Meta-analyses were performed on RV systolic pressures, at rest and during exercise, tricuspid annular plane systolic displacement, myocardial velocity (S'), and global and regional longitudinal strain. Bias was assessed using Egger regression for asymmetry. Data were analyzed using random-effects models with weighted mean difference and 95% CI. RESULTS Fifty-three studies were eligible for inclusion. RV systolic pressure was obtained from 21 studies at rest (n=1043:1651; controls:athletes) and 8 studies during exercise (n=240:495) and was significantly greater in athletes at rest (weighted mean difference, 2.9 mmHg [CI, 1.3-4.5 mmHg]; P=0.0005) and during exercise (11.0 [6.5-15.6 mm Hg]; P<0.0001) versus controls. Resting tricuspid annular plane systolic displacement (P<0.0001) and S' (P=0.001) were greater in athletes. In contrast, athletes had similar RV free-wall longitudinal strain (17 studies; n=450:605), compared with controls but showed greater longitudinal apical strain (16 studies; n=455:669; 0.9%, 0.1%-1.8%; P=0.03) and lower basal strain (-2.5% [-1.4 to -3.5%]; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Functional RV adaptation, characterized by increased tricuspid annular displacement and velocity and a greater base-to-apex strain gradient, is a normal feature of the athlete's heart, together with a slightly elevated RV systolic pressure. These findings contribute to our understanding of RV in athletes and highlight the importance of considering RV function in combination with structure in the clinical interpretation of the athlete's heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony G Dawkins
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom (T.G.D., B.A.C., M.S.)
| | - Bryony A Curry
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom (T.G.D., B.A.C., M.S.).,Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada (B.A.C., S.P.W., N.D.E., R.E.S.)
| | - Stephen P Wright
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada (B.A.C., S.P.W., N.D.E., R.E.S.)
| | - Victoria L Meah
- Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Canada (V.L.M.).,Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Canada (V.L.M.).,Alberta Diabetes Institute, University of Alberta, Canada (V.L.M.)
| | - Zaheer Yousef
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom (Z.Y.)
| | - Neil D Eves
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada (B.A.C., S.P.W., N.D.E., R.E.S.)
| | - Rob E Shave
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada (B.A.C., S.P.W., N.D.E., R.E.S.)
| | - Michael Stembridge
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom (T.G.D., B.A.C., M.S.)
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Speckle tracking evaluation in endurance athletes: the “optimal” myocardial work. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 36:1679-1688. [DOI: 10.1007/s10554-020-01871-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Smith B, Crossley JL, Elsey RM, Hicks JW, Crossley DA. Embryonic developmental oxygen preconditions cardiovascular functional response to acute hypoxic exposure and maximal β-adrenergic stimulation of anesthetized juvenile American alligators ( Alligator mississippiensis). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.205419. [PMID: 31548289 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.205419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The effects of the embryonic environment on juvenile phenotypes are widely recognized. We investigated the effect of embryonic hypoxia on the cardiovascular phenotype of 4-year-old American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). We hypothesized that embryonic 10% O2 preconditions cardiac function, decreasing the reduction in cardiac contractility associated with acute 5% O2 exposure in juvenile alligators. Our findings indicate that dobutamine injections caused a 90% increase in systolic pressure in juveniles that were incubated in 21% and 10% O2, with the 10% O2 group responding with a greater rate of ventricular relaxation and greater left ventricle output compared with the 21% O2 group. Further, our findings indicate that juvenile alligators that experienced embryonic hypoxia have a faster rate of ventricular relaxation, greater left ventricle stroke volume and greater cardiac power following β-adrenergic stimulation, compared with juvenile alligators that did not experience embryonic hypoxia. When juveniles were exposed to 5% O2 for 20 min, normoxic-incubated juveniles had a 50% decline in left ventricle maximal rate of pressure development and maximal pressure; however, these parameters were unaffected and decreased less in the hypoxic-incubated juveniles. These data indicate that embryonic hypoxia in crocodilians alters the cardiovascular phenotype, changing the juvenile response to acute hypoxia and β-adrenergic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandt Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
| | - Janna L Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
| | - Ruth M Elsey
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Grand Chenier, LA 70643, USA
| | - James W Hicks
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Dane A Crossley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
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Koshy SKG, George KK, George LK. Changes in right ventricular morphology and function in athletes. Echocardiography 2018; 35:767-768. [PMID: 29879309 DOI: 10.1111/echo.14027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Santhosh K G Koshy
- Department of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | | | - Lekha K George
- Regional One Health, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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