Single beat 3D echocardiography for the assessment of right ventricular dimension and function after endurance exercise: Intraindividual comparison with magnetic resonance imaging

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Our study compares new single beat 3D echocardiography (sb3DE) to cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) for the measurement of right ventricular (RV) dimension and function immediately after a 30 km run. This is to validate sb3DE against the "gold standard" CMR and to bring new insights into acute changes of RV dimension and function after endurance exercise.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>21 non-elite male marathon runners were examined by sb3DE (Siemens ACUSON SC2000, matrix transducer 4Z1c, volume rates 10-29/s), CMR (Siemens Magnetom Avanto, 1,5 Tesla) and blood tests before and immediately after each athlete ran 30 km. The runners were not allowed to rehydrate after the race. The order of sb3DE and CMR examination was randomized.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sb3DE for the acquisition of RV dimension and function was feasible in all subjects. The decrease in mean body weight and the significant increase in hematocrit indicated dehydration. RV dimensions measured by CMR were consistently larger than measured by sb3DE.</p> <p>Neither sb3DE nor CMR showed a significant difference in the RV ejection fraction before and after exercise. CMR demonstrated a significant decrease in RV dimensions. Measured by sb3DE, this decrease of RV volumes was not significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>First, both methods agree well in the acquisition of systolic RV function. The dimensions of the RV measured by CMR are larger than measured by sb3DE. After exercise, the RV volumes decrease significantly when measured by CMR compared to baseline.</p> <p>Second, endurance exercise seems not to induce acute RV dysfunction in athletes without rehydration.</p

Triggers of acute cardiovascular events and potential preventive strategies: Prophylactic role of regular exercise

There is now considerable evidence to suggest that acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and stroke can be triggered by physical, chemical, and psychological stressors, including heavy physical exertion and situations that create heightened emotional stress. The increased risk appears to be largely limited to a susceptible subset of the population, that is, individuals with known or occult cardiovascular (CV) disease. In this article, we summarize the evidence supporting the impact of selected triggers in the pathogenesis of acute CV events, as well as the potential role of various preventive strategies, especially regular exercise training and improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness to reduce the CV risk imposed by various triggers