Elite athletes with mitral or aortic regurgitation and their cardiopulmonary capability

Abstract

Background Aortic or mitral valvular regurgitation (left cardiac valvular regurgitation, LCVR) of less than second-degree (<°II) occasionally found in competitive athletes is of questionable relevance. Precisely detectable by echocardiography there is scarce published data that clarifi es cardiopulmonary capacity or any limitations LCVR <°II may cause.Methods In this single-centre study we consecutively recruited highly trained athletes (n = 14) with LCVR <°II detected in 2D echo. Not included were athletes with multi-or right-cardiac valvular dysfunction and structural heart disease other than bicuspid aortic valve or mitral valve prolaps. Target parameters were determined by 2D echo and spiroergometry.Results There were no signifi cant diff erences with regard to age and body mass index. Echocardiographically determined muscle mass index was increased in both groups (134 ± 14.7 vs 129.6 ± 27.5; P= 0.69), whereas the left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter index was signifi cant higher in the LCVR <°II group (27.3 ± 1.3 vs 25.2 ± 2.4; P= 0.04). However, there were no signifi cant diff erences with regard to (oxygen uptake) VO2 at baseline (athletes with LCVR <°II 5.7 ± 0.9 vs controls 5 ± 0.96, P= 0.06), at the anaerobic threshold (athletes with LCVR <°II 47.3 ± 8.4 vs controls 47.4 ± 5, P= 0.97) and maximally (VO2max; athletes with LCVR <°II 57.7 ± 6.3 vs controls 57.1 ± 5.1, P= 0.81). Neither levels of lactate nor of brain natriuretic peptide diff ered significantly.Conclusion High level athletes presenting with aortic or mitral regurgitation <°II in are not disadvantaged with regard to their cardiopulmonary capability.