Abstract

We assessed myocardial deformation in sub-endocardial and sub-epicardial layers of the left ventricle (LV) wall before and after running a marathon. Echocardiography scans were performed on 14 male, non-elite runners (mean +/- SD; age 32 +/- 10 years) who completed the 42.2-km London marathon. Para-sternal short axis and apical four-chamber views were recorded for off-line analysis. Peak longitudinal, radial and circumferential strains, peak systolic and early diastolic strain rates were recorded. Circumferential rotation in basal and apical LV scans was used to calculate torsion. Pre-race strain and strain rates were generally greater in the sub-endocardial layer of the LV wall. After race completion, a mixed pattern of change was observed with a reduction in sub-epicardial radial strain (32.6 +/- 12.5 to 20.3 +/- 9.6%; P < 0.01) and sub-endocardial circumferential strain (-26.9 +/- 3.6 to -23.7 +/- 4.1%; P < 0.01) at the apex. Rotation was not altered at either the apical or basal levels and thus torsion was not changed in either the sub-endocardium (6.72 +/- 3.46 degrees to 5.67 +/- 4.98 degrees) or the sub-epicardium (3.48 +/- 2.68 degrees to 3.01 +/- 3.23 degrees). Strain rates and rotation rates were only sporadically altered post-race. There are differences in deformation characteristics between the sub-endocardium and sub-epicardium at baseline, and the limited changes observed post-race were not specific to any region or depth of the LV wall.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.