Presentation Abstract

Title: P2-87 - Resting RV Performance Assessment in Young Athletes: A Comparison Between 3D and 2D Echocardiography
Authors: Alessio De Luca, Jr., Laura Stefani, Giorgio Galanti. Sports Medicine Centre, Florence, Italy
Abstract Body: Background: Right Ventricle (RV) ejection fraction (EF) of young athletes, where the onset of the “athletes heart” is not yet recognizable , is currently assessed by 2D - RV area change. The role of a 3D -RV function assessment is not yet well investigated in these subjects. The study aims to analyze RV function in young athletes from different kind of sports by these two methods. Methods: 25 young trained athletes( 20soccers ,5 basketball) aged 20 ±3 yrs matched with 20 sedentary controls, were studied by 2D and 3D-RV methods (Image Arena, Tomtec) measuring either RV diastolic (RVDV) and systolic (RVSV) volumes , or EF. Data were compared by ANOVA test. Results: All the EF, RVDV and RVSV values resulted within the normal range. However 3D - RV volumes were slightly higher in athletes (RVDV: 106.14 ± 30.3 ml; RVSV: 50.74 ± 15.25 ml ) than in sedentary (88.0 ± 41.36 ml; 40.67 ± 23.96 ml). On the contrary the 2D volumes resulted to be lower in athletes, even if not significantly, (RVDV: 43.40 ± 13.11; RVSV: 21.13 ± 6.5 ) than in sedentary (45.33 ± 14.05 ml; vs. 22.0 ± 7.8 ml). The EF values, by the two methods, were slightly but not significantly lower in athletes (3D-RV: 52.10 ± 6.4 ;2D-AC: 50.865 ± 6.5) than in sedentary( 3D RV:55.61 ± 7.4 ml; 2D AC: 52.0 ± 4.0 ml). Significant differences were on the contrary found comparing 3D-RV and 2D-AC volumes within each group (RVDV: p=.001 for athletes and p<.001 for controls, RVSV: p<.04 for athletes and p<.001 for controls) None significant difference for the EF was found. Conclusions: Despite the normal range of RV chamber values is currently unknown in case of young athletes, the results support the hypothesis that 2D and 3D methods cannot be considered completely overlapped. The higher values found by 3D are suggestive for a more accurate analysis than 2D.


Technical Support
Phone: 217-398-1792
Helpdesk