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- Title
Een marathonschaatser met een hypertroof linkerventrikel.
- Authors
de Vos, R. J.; Weir, A.; Veldkamp, R. F.
- Abstract
Regular participation in sports activity leads to physiological adaptations. One of these adaptations is an increased cardiac muscle mass, which is also known as the "athlete's heart". This increase in ventricular wall thickness is also a characteristic of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an inherited disease with a prevalence of 1 in 500. Myocardial fibrosis, Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT) obstruction and ventricular arrhythmias are considered as life-threatening complications which can cause Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). HCM is the most frequent cause of SCD in young athletes (age <35 years). Differentiation between the physiological "athlete's heart" and a pathological HCM is therefore of great importance and can be performed by analysis of various characteristics. The history, physical examination and resting ECG are essential tools in the screening for HCM. When HCM is suspected, referral to a cardiologist is indicated for further analysis with echocardiography, exercise testing and possibly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). In the case of proven HCM, only low static and low dynamic competitive sports are allowed. Other treatment options for HCM are the prescription of bèta-blocking agents and a reduction of any outflow tract obstruction. SCD can be prevented with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), however there are strict indications for this treatment. This case report describes the use of additional diagnostics to differentiate an "athlete's heart" from a HCM.
- Subjects
SPORTS; MYOCARDIUM; MUSCLE strength; CARDIAC hypertrophy; DISEASE prevalence; CARDIAC imaging
- Publication
Sport & Geneeskunde, 2012, Vol 45, Issue 2, p6
- ISSN
1874-6659
- Publication type
Article