ABSTRACT
Background: Athletes have changes that can mimic pathological cardiomyopathy. Methods: Echocardiographic study of 50 male, female athletes (MA, FA) and non-athletes (MNA, FNA) age 18 to 30 years. These athletes participate in sports with predominantly endurance component. All participants exhibit no known medical illnesses or symptoms. Results: MA have thicker wall (IVSd) than MNA. No MA have IVSd > 1.2 cm and no FA have IVSd > 1.0 cm. Left ventricle internal dimension (LVIDd), left ventricle end diastolic volume index (LVEDVi) is bigger in athletes. None have LVIDd > 5.8 cm. Right ventricle fractional area change (FAC) is lower in athletes. (MA vs MNA, p = 0.013, FA vs FNA, p = 0.025). Athletes have higher septal and lateral e' (Septal e'; MA 13.57 ± 2.66 cm/s vs MNA 11.46 ± 2.93 cm/s, p < 0.001, Lateral e'; MA 17.17 ± 3.07 cm/s vs MNA 14.82 ± 3.14 cm/s, p < 0.001), (Septal e'; FA 13.46 ± 2.32 cm/s vs FNA 12.16 ± 2.05 cm/s, p = 0.04, Lateral e'; FA 16.92 ± 2.97 cm/s vs FNA 15.44 ± 2.29 cm/s, p = 0.006).No difference in Global longitudinal (GLS), Right ventricle free wall (RVFWS) and Global circumferential strain (GCS). Left atrial reservoir (LArS) and left atrial booster strain (LAbS) is smaller in athletes. (LArS, MA 44.12 ± 9.55% vs MNA 52.95 ± 11.17%, p < 0.001 LArS, FA 48.07 ± 10.06% vs FNA 53.64 ± 8.99%, p = 0.004), (LAbS, MA 11.59 ± 5.13% vs MNA 17.35 ± 5.27%, p < 0.001 LAbS FA 11.77 ± 4.65% vs FNA 15.30 ± 4.19%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Malaysian athletes have thicker wall and bigger left ventricle than controls. No athletes have IVSd > 1.2 cm and/or LVIDd > 5.8 cm. There is no difference in GLS, RVFWS and GCS but athletes have smaller LArS and LAbS.
ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Apical HCM) is an uncommon variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but it is relatively more common in Asian countries. This is a retrospective, non-randomised, single centre study of patients with Apical HCM focusing on their diastolic dysfunction grading, echocardiographic parameters and electrocardiograms (ECG). Methods: All Apical HCM patients coming for clinic visits at the Institut Jantung Negara from September 2017 to September 2018 were included. We assessed their echocardiography images, grade their diastolic function and reviewed their ECG on presentation. Results: Fifty patient were included, 82% (n=41) were males and 18% (n=9) females. The diastolic function grading of 37 (74%) patients were able to be determined using the updated 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) diastolic guidelines. Fifty percent (n=25) had the typical ace-ofspades shape left ventricle (LV) appearance in diastole and 12% (n=6) had apical pouch. All patients had T inversion in the anterior leads of their ECG, and only 52% (n=26) fulfilled the ECG left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) criteria. Majority of our patients presented with symptoms of chest pain (52%, n=26) and dyspnoea (42%, n=21). Conclusion: The updated 2016 ASE guideline makes it easier to evaluate LV diastolic function in most patients with Apical HCM. It also helps in elucidating the aetiology of dyspnoea, based on left atrial pressure. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for Apical HCM when faced with deep T inversion on ECG, in addition to a thick LV apex with an aceof-spades appearance during diastole.
