Image and performance enhancing drug use in male resistance trained individuals was associated with reduced right ventricular function via higher global free wall strain (-24% vs -26%, P=0.005).
Cross-Sectional (n=135)
Does the use of image and performance enhancing drugs reduce right ventricular function in resistance trained individuals?
Myocardial strain imaging reveals subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in resistance-trained individuals using image and performance-enhancing drugs, which is missed by conventional echocardiography.
Absolute Event Rate: -24% vs -26%
p-value: p=.005
Abstract Background Image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) are used by resistance trained (RT) individuals. Although there is an established negative impact of IPED use on left ventricular structure and function, there is a scarcity of data pertaining to their impact on the right ventricle (RV). Notably, studies have focused on conventional indices of RV function, whereas strain imaging may be a more sensitive measure. Purpose This study aimed to determine the impact of IPED use on RV function with a focus on myocardial strain imaging in RT individuals. Methods Utilising a cross-sectional design, male (n = 135) RT individuals were grouped based on IPED user status: current (n = 99) and non-users (n = 36). Participants completed an IPED questionnaire, resting blood pressure, anthropometrical measurements and transthoracic echocardiography with strain imaging. The RV was divided into six segments for tracking purposes and regional RV strain was reported from the basal, mid and apical free wall segments. Global free wall (RVFW) strain was taken as the average of the three regional segments. Structural cardiac data was scaled allometrically to body surface area (BSA) according to the law of geometric similarity. Between group differences were analysed using an independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Results Body mass (99.8 ± 15.0 kg vs 85.7 ± 15.3 kg, p .0001) and BSA (2.22 ± 0.19 m2 vs 2.05 ± 0.21 m2, p .0001) were greater in CU than NU. Current users had a history of IPED use of 7 ± 5 years and over the last month, the average dose was 304 ± 322 mg.wk-1. Right ventricular basal (-23 ± 6% vs -26 ± 7%, p = .015), mid (-26 ± 5% vs -30 ± 6%, p = .006) and global free wall (-24 ± 3% vs -26 ± 4%, p = .005) strain were higher in CU than NU. There was no difference between groups in other functional RV parameters (RV apical strain, RVFAC, TAPSE, RV S’). Scaled RV outflow tract (RVOT) dimensions were greater in CU than NU (RVOTplaxi; 22 ± 3mm.m-2 vs 21 ± 2mm.m-2, p = 0.015: RVOT1i; 23 ± 3mm.m-2 vs 22 ± 3mm.m-2, p = .018: RVOT2i; 18 ± 2mm.m-2 vs 16 ± 2mm.m-2, p = .003). Scaled longitudinal RV dimension (RVD3i) was greater in CU than NU (64 ± 5mm.m-2 vs 62 ± 5mm.m-2, p = 0.008). Scaled RV end-diastolic (RVDai) and systolic (RVSai) areas were greater in CU than NU (RVDai; 13 ± 2cm2.m-2 vs 12 ± 2cm2.m-2, p = .019: RVSai; 8 ± 1cm2.m-2 vs 7 ± 1cm2.m-2, p = .002). Conclusions Resistance trained individuals using IPEDs had higher absolute RV basal, mid and free wall strain indicating reduced function that was not evidenced with conventional echocardiographic indices hence highlighting the important role and increased sensitivity of strain imaging in this population.For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text.
Place et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Image and performance enhancing drug use (n=135). Image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs) vs. Non-users was evaluated on Right ventricular global free wall strain (p=.005). Image and performance enhancing drug use in male resistance trained individuals was associated with reduced right ventricular function via higher global free wall strain (-24% vs -26%, P=0.005).