Structural and functional changes of right ventricle in highly trained athletes evaluated by echocardiography by speckle tracking strain

Introduction. The intense physical training is associated with cardiac structural changes in both the left ventricle and the right ventricle (RV). However, no studies in Argentine athletes who value with current echocardiographic techniques such changes, in order to recognize early those with dilations or pathological hypertrophy that may be associated with increased risk of sudden death. Objective. Evaluate the anatomy, function and behavior of RV in athletes who perform isometric or static (SG), isotonic or dynamic activities (DG) and compared with control patients non-athletes (CG). Materials and methods. Each patient underwent transthoracic echocardiography, evaluating primarily the RV through TAPSE, the diastolic and systolic diameters, Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), and the strain and strain rate by speckle tracking. Results. We included 117 patients, 11 in SG, 56 in DG, and 50 controls. In athletes the longitudinal shortening with strain rate at apical and basal level, the diastolic diameter apical and basal systolic diameter baseline, the S, E and A waves at baseline of the RV free wall by DTI, and waves S and E at the middle level of the RV free wall by DTI showed significant differences, with higher values in the group of both static and dynamic athletes. Conclusion. Our study showed that the largest diameters of RV in healthy athletes are associated with increased myocardial deformation measured by DTI and through the longitudinal shortening strain.