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 u