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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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