“…The relative diameter of the aortic annulus was higher in female strength athletes compared to the endurance athletes. Our data confirms results previously obtained within Italian athletes [32]. Furthermore, it was shown that strength sports athletes had wider aortic root diameter compared to endurance sports athletes.…”
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.
“…The relative diameter of the aortic annulus was higher in female strength athletes compared to the endurance athletes. Our data confirms results previously obtained within Italian athletes [32]. Furthermore, it was shown that strength sports athletes had wider aortic root diameter compared to endurance sports athletes.…”
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.
“…Different studies have already demonstrated that the aortic root dimensions in (elite) athletes are within the established limits for the general population. 3,4 As proposed by Pelliccia et al., an aortic root diameter of 40 mm and 34 mm in males and females, respectively, can be considered as the upper limits of physiologic aortic root remodelling. 5…”
Section: Aorta Size and Different Types Of Sportmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…3,7 On the other hand, data from a different population suggest that strength athletes have higher aortic root diameters than endurance athletes. 4 Figure 1.Schematic classification of sport disciplines according their characteristics (adapted from Pelliccia et al 6 ). Indicates sport with increased risk of bodily collision.…”
Section: Aorta Size and Different Types Of Sportmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…10 This plateauing effect has been confirmed by other studies. 4,5,11 Therefore indexing the absolute aortic root dimension for height or BSA (ratiometric scaling) may not be an accurate representation of aortic root dilatation as this is based upon the assumption of linearity, which will overestimate aortic root dimension in subjects who exceed the 95th percentile for height.…”
“…3–6 However, nomograms calculated in the general population cannot be applied to athletes, a setting in which the cardiac dimensions are physiologically increased. 8–40 Great advances have been made in screening athletes' hearts based on ECG findings, 41 and basic criteria have been established, 41 while echocardiographic criteria are less well defined. Thus, in recent years, echocardiographic nomograms specific for athletes have been proposed.…”
In the last few years, multiple echocardiographic nomograms have been published. However, normal values calculated in the general population are not applicable to athletes, whose hearts may be enlarged and hypercontractile. Accordingly, athletes require specific nomograms. Our aim is to provide a critical review of echocardiographic nomograms on two-dimensional (2D) measures for athletes. We performed a systematic search in the National Library of Medicine for Medical Subject Headings and free text terms including echocardiography, athletes, normal values and nomograms. The search was refined by adding the keywords heart, sport, elite, master, children and young. Twenty-eight studies were selected for the final analysis. Our research revealed that currently available ranges of normality for athletes reported by different authors are quite consistent, with limited exceptions (e.g. atria, aorta). Numerical and methodological limitations, however, emerged. Numerical limitations included a limited sample size (e.g. < 450 subjects) of the population assessed and the paucity of data in women, non-Caucasian athletes, and junior and master athletes. Some data on M-mode measurements are available, while those for some specific structures (e.g. left atrial (LA) area and volumes, right ventricular diameters and aorta) are limited or rare (e.g. LA area). There was heterogeneity in data normalization (by gender, sport type and ethnicity) and their expression was limited to mean values ( Z-scores have rarely been employed), while variability analysis was often lacking or incomplete. We conclude that comprehensive nomograms using an appropriate sample size, evaluating a complete dataset of 2D (and three-dimensional) measures and built using a rigorous statistical approach are warranted.
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