Key result
Anabolic-androgenic steroid use is linked to higher calibrated integrated backscatter compared to non-users.
Why the study?
Anabolic-androgenic steroid use is documented in resistance-trained individuals despite myocardial inflammation and fibrosis reports, prompting assessment of calibrated integrated backscatter and its relationship to left ventricular and left atrial structure and function.
Does the use of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids alter calibrated integrated backscatter and cardiac structure/function in resistance trained individuals?
Cross-Sectional (n=141)
Does the use of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids alter calibrated integrated backscatter and cardiac structure/function in resistance trained individuals?
AAS use in resistance-trained individuals is associated with higher calibrated integrated backscatter, indicating altered myocardial tissue characteristics linked to LV geometry and diastolic function.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Caution warranted with AAS in resistance athletes; leaves open ciB as marker of myocardial changes pending prospective study.
Purpose: The use of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) is well documented in resistance trained individuals, despite reports of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis. Calibrated integrated backscatter (ciB) is an echocardiographic technique to measure ultrasonic reflectivity of the left ventricular (LV) myocardium and is a marker for tissue characterization. This study assessed ciB in both AAS using and non-using resistance trained individuals and documented any relationship to LV and left atrial (LA) structure and function. Methods: Male ( n = 120) and female ( n = 21) resistance trained individuals (age 30 ± 7 years); current (CU; n = 95) and non-users (NU; n = 46) of AAS were recruited. Comprehensive echocardiography with strain imaging was performed. ciB was measured from a parasternal long axis and LA stiffness index (E/E ′ /LA reservoir strain) and left atrioventricular coupling index (LA end-diastolic volume/LV end-diastolic volume) were calculated. Results: ciB was significantly higher in CU (–19.54 ± 4.63) than NU (–20.88 ± 3.94, p = 0.047). A significant positive correlation was observed between ciB and LV mass index (rs (139) = 0.318, p < 0.001), E/E ′ (r(138) = 0.169, p = 0.043), LA conduit strain (r(135) = –0.174, p = 0.043), LA stiffness index (rs (134) = 0.246, p = 0.004), and left atrioventricular coupling index (r(134) = 0.241, p = 0.005). ciB was not associated with any LV systolic functional parameter (global longitudinal strain or ejection fraction). Conclusions: Resistance trained individuals using AAS have significantly higher ciB than non-users, suggesting differential myocardial tissue characteristics within this population. The presence of higher levels of ciB was significantly associated with LV geometry and LV diastolic function which may indicate a role of ciB in identifying early cardiac risk in this population.
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Pugh et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Resistance trained individuals (n=141). Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) vs. Non-users of AAS was evaluated on Calibrated integrated backscatter (ciB) (p=0.047). Anabolic-androgenic steroid use in resistance-trained individuals was associated with significantly higher calibrated integrated backscatter compared to non-users (-19.54 vs -20.88, p=0.047).
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