Cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of left atrial size and function in endurance athletes.
Wasim JavedNathan J PriceChristopher Ed SaundersonAdam K McDiarmidBara ErhayiemMaryum FarooqJames O'NeillLynne M MillarAneil MalhotraSanjay SharmaJohn P GreenwoodSven PleinPeter P SwobodaPublished in: Future cardiology (2022)
Background: Left atrial (LA) dilatation is linked to cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation but its associations in athletes are unknown. The authors investigated whether aerobic fitness and clinical parameters are associated with LA dilatation and emptying fraction (EF) in endurance athletes. Materials & methods: 65 endurance athletes underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance to assess LA size and function along with fitness assessment. 25 sedentary controls underwent an identical cardiovascular magnetic resonance protocol. Results: In athletes, LA volume index was elevated, while total and passive LAEFs were decreased versus sedentary controls. Increasing age and maximal oxygen uptake were associated with LA volume index. Only older age was associated with decreased total LAEF. Conclusion: LA dilatation in athletes is associated with increasing age and aerobic fitness rather than conventional cardiovascular risk factors.
Keyphrases
- left atrial
- magnetic resonance
- atrial fibrillation
- physical activity
- cardiovascular risk factors
- high intensity
- catheter ablation
- mitral valve
- cardiovascular disease
- left ventricular
- body composition
- resistance training
- skeletal muscle
- high school
- heart failure
- randomized controlled trial
- contrast enhanced
- metabolic syndrome
- type diabetes
- direct oral anticoagulants
- mass spectrometry
- magnetic resonance imaging
- heart rate
- coronary artery disease
- middle aged