We aimed to characterize female athlete's heart in elite competitors in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Bikini Fitness category and compare them to athletes of a more dynamic sport discipline and healthy, sedentary volunteers using 3D echocardiography. Fifteen elite female fitness athletes were recruited and compared to 15 elite, age-matched female water polo athletes and 15 age-matched healthy, nontrained controls. Using 3D echocardiography, left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) and LV mass index (LVMi) were measured. Fitness athletes presented similar LV and RV EDVi compared to healthy, sedentary volunteers. Water polo athletes, however, had higher LV and also RV EDVi (fitness versus water polo versus control; LVEDVi: 76 ± 13 versus 84 ± 8 versus 73 ± 8 ml/m2, ANOVA p = 0.045; RVEDVi: 61 ± 12 versus 86 ± 14 versus 55 ± 9 ml/m2, p < 0.0001). LVMi was significantly higher in the athlete groups; the hypertrophy, however, was even more prominent in water polo athletes (78 ± 13 versus 91 ± 10 versus 57 ± 10 g/m2, p < 0.0001). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize female athlete's heart of IFBB Bikini Fitness competitors. The predominantly static exercise regime induced a mild, concentric-type LV hypertrophy, while in water polo athletes higher ventricular volumes and eccentric LV hypertrophy developed.
Aim. To develop an algorithm for primary specialized cardiovascular care with a priority of endovascular strategy.
Methods. The study was conducted in 20182019 based on the Central Clinical Hospital Russian Railways-Medicine and 14 polyclinics in the regions of the Russian Federation. The subject of the study is cardiovascular surgeons (n=2), possessing the skills of endovascular care. The object of the study was patients (n=1018) attended regional polyclinics of the Russian Federation. Patients were divided into two groups: group A consisting of 673 patients with clinically significant atherosclerosis of the coronary, brachiocephalic and peripheral arteries and abdominal aortic aneurysm; group B consisting of 345 patients with chronic lower limb ischemia that does not require surgical treatment. The average age of patients in group A was 696.1 years, in group B 637.2 years. There were 467 men in group A (69.4%), and 339 in group B (98.3%). An organizational and technological algorithm was developed to improve the primary specialized cardiovascular care. The results were assessed by the presence of outcomes (heart attack, stroke, bleeding, death), the availability of endovascular care and patient survival follow up 12 and 24 months. A content analysis of scientific publications on the issue under study has been performed.
Results. An organizational and technological algorithm of primary specialized cardiovascular care has been developed, including the activities of the cardiovascular surgeon, who has the skills of endovascular care and a nurse in an outpatient clinic. The implementation of the algorithm ensured continuity, 100% availability, safety and quality of cardiovascular care using endovascular technology. Outcomes are not registered in both groups. Both patient groups showed 100% one and two-year survival.
Conclusion. The developed algorithm of primary specialized cardiovascular care has provided high quality healthcare.
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