Echocardiographic assessment of thoracic aorta diameters in young pacific islands rugby players

Abstract Introduction Aortic rupture is a dramatic event which may occur during contact sport such as rugby. Thoracic aorta enlargement increases the risk of such accidents. Some authors have described some aortic dimension pecularities among adult rugby players originating from pacific islands but data addressing younger players of same origin are lacking. Objective To describe dimensions of ascendant and horizontal thoracic aorta among Pacific Islands teenagers playing rugby. Method From March 2025 12th to 28th we performed echocardiographic using a Vivid IQ ultrasound laptop in teenagers licensed in New Caledonan, Wallisian and Tahitian rugby clubs. Pacific island origin was defined when at least one of the grand parent was polynesian or melanesian ascent. Statistical analysis were assessed using SPSS 29.0 software. Results are given as mean +/- standard deviation; signification is defined for p 0.05. A written consent to participate in the study was obtained from players or parents as appropriate. Results We prospectively collected data from 82 rugby players, 26 female (31.7%). Most (55) self-reported a polynesian origin (67.1%), only 2 (2.4%) a melanesian origin and 25 (30.4%) declared a mixed origin. Mean age was 15 +/- 2 years. Male (56, 68.3%) were older than female (15+/-2 y.o. vs 14+/-1, p = 0.012); they were taller (1.79+/-8 m vs 1.67+/-8, p0.001), heavier (90+/-20 kg vs 80+/-17, p=0.036), with higher body surface area (BSA) (2.07+/-0.23 m2 vs 1.88+/-0.2, p0.001) but BMI (body mass index) were similar (27.9+/-5.9 kg/m2 vs 28,7+/-5.9, p=0.479). Aorta dimensions are reported in table 1. None of the teenagers had abnormal dimension in any of the 5 segments. A significant correlation was found between each segment diameters and BSA, as well as with height or BMI but for a lower magnitude. Sinotubular junction was clearly identified in all players. Two of them had a bicuspid aortic valve (one previously diagnosed) associated with a mild aortic regurgitation without significant left ventricular impact; coronary arteries connexion was in a physiologic position in all. Conclusion In this prospective series of 82 young rugby players originating from Pacific Islands, aortic dimensions were in the normal range, similar in male and female when indexed to BSA; these dimensions were more precisely correlated with BSA than other indexations. Such findings may be compared to young populations of other geographic origin.For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.