Endurance training in athletes with marked right ventricular dilatation is associated with reduced basal RV strain (-20.9% vs -24.5% in controls, P<0.001), representing a normal adaptation.
Observational (n=182)
Does endurance training alter right ventricular regional deformation and strain in athletes compared to healthy controls?
Regional deformation and deformation rates are reduced in the basal RV segment in endurance athletes, particularly those with RV dilatation, representing a normal physiological adaptation rather than pathology.
Absolute Event Rate: -20.9% vs -24.5%
p-value: p=<0.001
AIMS: To investigate the physiological adaptation of the right ventricle (RV) in response to endurance training and to define reference values for regional deformation in the RV in endurance athletes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Healthy controls (n = 61), athletes (n = 58), and elite athletes (n = 63) were prospectively enrolled with a training intensity of 2.2 +/- 1.6, 12.5 +/- 2.3 and 24.2 +/- 5.7 h/week, respectively (P < 0.001). Conventional echocardiographic parameters, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and 2D strain echo (2DSE)-derived velocity, strain, and strain rate (SR) were calculated in three RV segments. Left ventricular and RV dimensions were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in both groups of athletes compared with controls. Right ventricular systolic velocities and displacement were not different between the groups. Right ventricular strain and SR values were reduced in the RV basal and mid-segment in athletes. Athletes with marked RV dilatation showed lower strain and SR values in the basal (-20.9 +/- 4.7 vs. -24.5 +/- 4.9%, P < 0.001 and -1.23 +/- 0.31 vs. -1.50 +/- 0.33 s(-1), P < 0.001) and mid (-29.3 +/- 5.4 vs. -32.1 +/- 5.3%, P = 0.017 and -1.58 +/- 0.41 vs. -1.82 +/- 0.42 s(-1), P = 0.009) segment, whereas athletes without RV dilatation showed no significant difference compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: Regional deformation and deformation rates (TDI and 2DSE) are reduced in the basal RV segment in athletes. This phenomenon is most pronounced in athletes with RV dilatation and should be interpreted as normal when evaluating athletes suspected for RV pathology.
Teske et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Endurance athletes (n=182). Endurance training vs. Healthy controls (2.2 h/week) was evaluated on Basal right ventricular strain (p=<0.001). Endurance training in athletes with marked right ventricular dilatation is associated with reduced basal RV strain (-20.9% vs -24.5% in controls, P<0.001), representing a normal adaptation.