Exploring the Aortic Root Diameter and Left Ventricle Size Among Lithuanian Athletes.

Renata Žumbakytė-Šermukšnienė,Rasa Sederevičiūtė,Agnė Slapšinskaitė,Miglė Baranauskaitė,Kristina Berškienė,Julija Borkytė

doi:10.3390/medicina55060271

Renata Žumbakytė-Šermukšnienė, Rasa Sederevičiūtė + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55060271

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Abstract

Background and objectives: Aortic rupture is known as one of the potential causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes. Nevertheless, adaptation strategies for aortic root dilation in athletes vary. The purpose of this study was to investigate aortic root adaptation to physical workload and to determine if aortic roots and left ventricle sizes are contingent upon the physical workload. Materials and Methods: Echocardiography was applied to 151 subjects to measure the aortic root at aortic valve annulus (AA) and at sinus of Valsalva (VS). 122 were athletes (41 females and 81 males) and 29 were non-athletes (14 females and 15 males). Of the 41 female athletes, 32 were endurance athletes, and 9 were strength athletes. From 81 male athletes, 56 were endurance athletes, and 25 were strength athletes. AA and VS mean values for the body surface area were presented as AA relative index with body surface area (rAA) and VS relative index with body surface area (rVS). Left ventricle (LV) measures included LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), interventricular septum thickness in diastole (IVSTd), LV posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWTd), LV mass (LVM), LV mass index, and LV end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDI). Results: Results indicated that VS was higher in female athletes (28.9 ± 2.36 mm) than in non-athletes (27.19 ± 2.87 mm, p = 0.03). On the other hand, rAA was higher in strength athletes (12.19 ± 1.48 mm/m2) than in endurance athletes (11.12 ± 0.99 mm/m2, p = 0.04). Additionally, rVS and rAA were higher in female strength athletes (17.19 ± 1.78 mm/m2, 12.19 ± 1.48 mm/m2) than female basketball players (15.49 ± 1.08 mm/m2, p = 0.03, 10.75 ± 1.06 mm/m2, p = 0.02). No significant differences regarding aortic root were found between male athletes and non-athletes. Statistically significant positive moderate correlations were found between VS and LVEDD, LVM, IVSTd, LVPWTd, rVS, and LVEDDI parameters in all athletes. Conclusion: The diameter of Valsalva sinus was greater in female athletes compared to non-athletes. The rAA mean value for body surface area was greater in female athletes practising strength sports as compared to their counterparts who were practising endurance sports. The diameter of the aortic root at sinuses positively correlated with the LV size in all athletes.

Highlights

Regular physical activity has many beneficial effects on the reduction of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, participation in competitive sports always involves a likelihoodMedicina 2019, 55, 271; doi:10.3390/medicina55060271 www.mdpi.com/journal/medicinaMedicina 2019, 55, 271 of sudden death
RVS and relative index with body surface area (rAA) were higher in female strength athletes
Significant positive moderate correlations were found between VS and LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV mass (LVM), IVSTd, LV posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWTd), relative index with body surface area (rVS), and LV end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDI) parameters in all athletes

Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity has many beneficial effects on the reduction of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, participation in competitive sports always involves a likelihoodMedicina 2019, 55, 271; doi:10.3390/medicina55060271 www.mdpi.com/journal/medicinaMedicina 2019, 55, 271 of sudden death. The specific focus on healthy young athletes is highly understandable given the substantial social and emotional impact of sudden and unexpected deaths in this group. In novices and professional athletes sudden cardiac death is not common, extremely visible [1]. In sudden death of athletes, the role of aortic root should not be forgotten given the fact that aortic stenosis is well-known as an important cause of young athletes’ death. Adaptation strategies for aortic root dilation in athletes still vary to a large extent [10]. Aortic rupture is known as one of the potential causes of sudden cardiac death in athletes. Adaptation strategies for aortic root dilation in athletes vary. The purpose of this study was to investigate aortic root adaptation to physical workload and to determine if aortic roots and left ventricle sizes are contingent upon the physical workload

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