Authors: Flavio D’Ascenzi Marco Solari Michele Mazzolai Matteo Cameli Matteo Lisi Valentina Andrei Marta Focardi Marco Bonifazi Sergio Mondillo
Publish Date: 2016/08/13
Volume: 32, Issue: 12, Pages: 1697-1705
Abstract
Twodimensional 2D speckletracking echocardiography STE has clarified functional adaptations accompanying the morphological features of ‘athlete’s heart’ However 2D STE has some limitations potentially overcome by threedimensional 3D STE Unfortunately discrepancies between 2D and 3D STE have been described We therefore sought to evaluate whether dimensional and functional differences exist between athletes and controls and whether 2D and 3D left ventricular LV strains differ in athletes One hundred sixtyone individuals 91 athletes 70 controls were analysed Athletes were members of professional sports teams 2D and 3D echocardiography and STE were used to assess LV size and function Bland–Altman analysis was used to estimate the level of agreement between 2D and 3D STE Athletes had greater 2D and 3Dderived LV dimensions and LV mass p 00001 for all while 2D and 3Dderived LV ejection fraction did not differ as compared with controls p = 082 and p = 089 respectively Longitudinal radial and circumferential strains did not differ between athletes and controls neither by 2D nor by 3D STE Threedimensional longitudinal and circumferential strain values were lower p 00001 for both while 3D radial strain was greater as compared with 2D STE p 0001 Bland–Altman plots demonstrated the presence of an absolute systematic error between 2D and 3D STE to analyse LV myocardial deformation 3D STE is a useful and feasible technique for the assessment of myocardial deformation with the potential to overcome the limitations of 2D imaging However discrepancies exist between 2D and 3Dderived strain suggesting that 2D and 3D STE are not interchangeable
Keywords: