Atrial Adaptations in Athletes Heart
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Intensive training efforts are associated with hemodynamic changes accompanied by increases in cardiac output and stroke volume related to higher peak oxygen consumption and better athletic performance during exercise. These hemodynamic changes induce an enlargement of cardiac chambers, but also of the atria and may result in an athletes’ heart (AH). Data from large studies about atrial enlargement in AH are sparse. Methods Competitive athletes aged ≥18 years, who presented for pre‐participation screening 04/2020–10/2021 were included in this study and stratified for AH (defined as physiologically increased heart volume >13.0 in males and >12.0 mL/kg in females). Results Overall, 646 athletes aged ≥18 years (median age 24.0 [20.0/31.0] years; 206 [31.9%] females) were included in our study 04/2020–10/2021; among these, 118 (18.3%) had an AH. The computed absolute heart volume was 969.4 (853.1/1083.0) mL in athletes with AH and 841.3 (707.4/966.3) mL in those without AH (p < 0.001). AH was associated with larger left ventricular mass (206.6 ± 39.0 vs. 182.7 ± 44.2 g, p < 0.001). LA area (15.4 [13.7/18.2] vs. 14.3 [12.0/16.3] cm2, p < 0.001) and RA area (15.8 [13.8/18.6] vs. 14.5 [12.3/17.0] cm2, p < 0.001) were enlarged in AH versus those athletes without AH. The logistic regressions confirmed an independent association of AH on LV mass (OR 1.05 [95% CI 1.04–1.06], p < 0.001). LA area (OR 1.29 [95% CI 1.19–1.39], p < 0.001) as well as RA area (OR 1.28 [95% CI 1.19–1.38], p < 0.001) were afflicted by AH. Conclusion An AH is accompanied by significant enlargement of the atria as well as increased cardiac muscle mass.
Source: Echocardiography
DOI: 10.1111/echo.15931
Authors: Philipp Stadter, Karsten Keller
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,520
OpenAlex ID: W4402761551