PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - N H Prakken
AU  - B K Velthuis
AU  - A C Bosker
AU  - A Mosterd
AU  - A J Teske
AU  - W P Mali
AU  - M J Cramer
TI  - Relationship of ventricular and atrial dilatation to valvular function in endurance athletes
AID  - 10.1136/bjsm.2009.059188
DP  - 2011 Mar 01
TA  - British Journal of Sports Medicine
PG  - 178--184
VI  - 45
IP  - 3
4099  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/3/178.short
4100  - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/45/3/178.full
SO  - Br J Sports Med2011 Mar 01; 45
AB  - Objective To establish cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference values for atrial adaptation to training in endurance athletes in comparison with matched non-athletes. In addition, to study the relationship of atrial size to ventricular and annular size and valvular function. Design Cross-sectional study. Participants 180 healthy individuals aged 18–39 years (41% women): 60 elite endurance athletes (exercising > 18 h/week), 60 regular endurance athletes (9–18 h/ week), and 60 age and gender matched non-athletes (exercising ≤3 h/week) underwent cardiac MRI. Quantitative atrial dimensions and volumes, indexed for body surface area (BSA), were compared with ventricular and annular dimensions. Regurgitant fractions of all four valves and peak velocities of mitral and tricuspid valves were also assessed. Results BSA-corrected right and left atrial volumes and diameters were significantly larger for athletes compared with non-athletes (p<0.05–p<0.0005). Ventricular, annular and atrial ratios remained constant for all groups, suggesting balanced adaptation to exercise training. E/A ratios remained statistically unchanged in all groups. Regurgitant fractions of the four cardiac valves were all mild (≤15%) and not significantly different in athletes compared with non-athletes. Conclusions Atrial remodelling in endurance athletes may be regarded as a balanced physiological adaptation to exercise training with preservation of valvular function.