Recreational marathon running does not cause exercise-induced left ventricular hypertrabeculation. (15th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Silva, Andrew; Captur, Gabriella; Bhuva, Anish N.; Jones, Siana; Bastiaenen, Rachel; Abdel-Gadir, Amna; Gati, Sabiha; van Zalen, Jet; Willis, James; Malhotra, Aneil; Ster, Irina Chis; Manisty, Charlotte; Hughes, Alun D.; Lloyd, Guy; Sharma, Rajan; Moon, James C.; Sharma, Sanjay
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 315(2020)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2020-09-15
• Subjects: Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.04.081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Marathon running in novices represents a natural experiment of short-term cardiovascular remodeling in response to running training. We examine whether this stimulus can produce exercise-induced left ventricular (LV) trabeculation. Methods: Sixty-eight novice marathon runners aged 29.5 ± 3.2 years had indices of LV trabeculation measured by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging 6 months before and 2 weeks after the 2016 London Marathon race, in a prospective longitudinal study. Results: After 17 weeks unsupervised marathon training, indices of LV trabeculation were essentially unchanged. Despite satisfactory inter-observer agreement in most methods of trabeculation measurement, criteria defining abnormally hypertrabeculated cases were discordant with each other. LV hypertrabeculation was a frequent finding in young, healthy individuals with no subject demonstrating clear evidence of a cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: Training for a first marathon does not induce LV trabeculation. It remains unclear whether prolonged, high-dose exercise can create de novo trabeculation or expose concealed trabeculation. Applying cut off values from published LV noncompaction cardiomyopathy criteria to young, healthy individuals risks over-diagnosis. Highlights: Athletes often show excessive ventricular trabeculation. It is unknown whether left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy can be acquired. It is proposed that trabeculation may result from athletic remodeling to exercise. Imaging is prone to overdiagnosis of left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy. Recreational marathon running does not increase left ventricular trabeculation.