Global longitudinal active strain energy density (GLASED): age and sex differences between young and veteran athletes.

Background: Global longitudinal active strain energy density (GLASED) is an innovative method for assessing myocardial function and quantifies the work performed per unit volume of the left ventricular myocardium. The GLASED, measured using MRI, is the best prognostic marker currently available. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of measuring the GLASED using echocardiography and to investigate potential differences in the GLASED among athletes based on age and sex.

Allometric scaling for left ventricular mass and geometry in male and female athletes of mixed and endurance sports.

Background: The athlete's heart (AH) defines the phenotypical changes that occur in response to chronic exercise training. Echocardiographic assessment of the AH is used to calculate LV mass (LVM) and determine chamber geometry. This is, however, interpreted using standard linear (ratiometric) scaling to body surface area (BSA) whereas allometric scaling is now widely recommended.

Biventricular Myocardial Fibrosis and Sudden Death in Patients With Brugada Syndrome.

Background: Electrophysiological, imaging, and pathological studies have reported the presence of subtle structural abnormalities in hearts from patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS). However, data concerning disease involvement outside of the right ventricular outflow tract are limited.

Objectives: This study sought to characterize the presence and distribution of ventricular myocardial fibrosis in a cohort of decedents experiencing sudden cardiac death caused by BrS.

Risk of atrial fibrillation in athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed on selected studies to investigate the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) among athletes compared with non-athlete controls.

Design: Meta-analysis with heterogeneity analysis and subsequent meta-regression to model covariates were performed. The mode of exercise (endurance and mixed sports) and age were the a priori determined covariates.

The heart of the ageing endurance athlete: the role of chronic coronary stress.

Moderate physical exercise is associated with an irrefutable reduction in cardiac morbidity and mortality. The current guidelines recommend at least 150 min of moderate exercise or 75 min of vigorous exercise per week. Endurance athletes perform exercise at a level that is 10- to 20-fold greater than these recommendations.

The effects of endurance exercise on the heart: panacea or poison?

Regular aerobic physical exercise of moderate intensity is undeniably associated with improved health and increased longevity, with some studies suggesting that more is better. Endurance athletes exceed the usual recommendations for exercise by 15-fold to 20-fold. The need to sustain a large cardiac output for prolonged periods is associated with a 10-20% increase in left and right ventricular size and a substantial increase in left ventricular mass.

Accuracy of the 2017 international recommendations for clinicians who interpret adolescent athletes' ECGs: a cohort study of 11 168 British white and black soccer players.

Aim: To investigate the accuracy of the recently published international recommendations for ECG interpretation in young athletes in a large cohort of white and black adolescent soccer players.

Methods: 11 168 soccer players (mean age 16.4±1.

Sudden Death and Left Ventricular Involvement in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disorder characterized by myocardial fibrofatty replacement and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Originally described as a right ventricular disease, ACM is increasingly recognized as a biventricular entity. We evaluated pathological, genetic, and clinical associations in a large SCD cohort.

Direct transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation without balloon pre-dilatation using the Edwards Sapien XT valve.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of direct transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by the transfemoral approach without balloon pre-dilatation using the Edwards SapienXT valve.

Background: TAVI is established in selected high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is recommended prior to valve implantation, but may contribute to procedural risk.