Cardiovascular magnetic resonance assessment of left atrial size and function in endurance athletes.

Left atrial (LA) dilatation is linked to cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation but its associations in athletes are unknown. The authors investigated whether aerobic fitness and clinical parameters are associated with LA dilatation and emptying fraction (EF) in endurance athletes. 65 endurance athletes underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance to assess LA size and function along with fitness assessment.

Care of the patient after valve intervention.

This review aims to outline the current evidence base and guidance for care of patients post-valve intervention. Careful follow-up, optimisation of medical therapy, antithrombotics, reduction of cardiovascular risk factors and patient education can help improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Those with mechanical valves should receive lifelong anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist but in certain circumstances may benefit from additional antiplatelet therapy.

Differentiation between athlete's heart and dilated cardiomyopathy in athletic individuals.

Objective: Distinguishing early dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) from physiological left ventricular (LV) dilatation with LV ejection fraction <55% in athletes (grey zone) is challenging. We evaluated the role of a cascade of investigations to differentiate these two entities.

Methods: Thirty-five asymptomatic active males with DCM, 25 male athletes in the 'grey zone' and 24 male athletes with normal LV ejection fraction underwent N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement, ECG and exercise echocardiography.

Screen time and physical activity behaviours are associated with health-related quality of life in Australian adolescents.

Purpose: To explore the cross-sectional relationships between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical activity (PA) behaviours and screen-based media (SBM) use among a sample of Australian adolescents.

Methods: Data came from baseline measures collected for the It's Your Move! community-based obesity prevention intervention. Questionnaire data on sociodemographics, PA, SBM and HRQoL were collected from 3,040 students (56% boys) aged 11-18 years in grade levels 7-11 in 12 secondary schools.

Magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with a dual chamber pacemaker.

Having a pacemaker has been seen an absolute contraindication to having an MRI scan. This has become increasingly difficult in clinical practice as insertion of pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators is at an all time high. Here we outline a case where a 71-year-old male patient with a permanent pacemaker needed to have an MRI scan to ascertain the aetiology of his condition and help guide further management.