The role of quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography in the study of coronary microcirculation in athlete's heart.
Quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed with harmonic power Doppler analysis using the background subtraction and Levovist (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) as contrast agent in a triggered modality. Quantitative analysis of echocontrast was performed offline with PC software, obtaining the transit curves of microbubbles through the coronary capillary system. Coronary microcirculation in athletes showed a behavior substantially comparable with control participants, although at a higher level. Training determines a physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy that counterbalances the dilatation in the left ventricular chambers because of the higher blood volume in athletes compared with control participants. Angiogenesis and several functional adaptations (relaxation of small coronary arteries, increased production of nitric oxide by the coronary endothelium, or both), represent the potential mechanisms that allow an optimal distribution of oxygen and of substrates to the hypertrophied myocardium of the athletes.
Di Bello
Vitantonio
V
Cardiac and Thoracic Department, University of Pisa, Italy. dibellov@ifc.cnr.it
Giorgi
Davide
D
Bertini
Alessio
A
Talini
Enrica
E
Mengozzi
Giovanna
G
Palagi
Caterina
C
Nardi
Carmela
C
Paterni
Marco
M
Mariani
Mario
M
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003287:Contrast Media; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000494:pharmacology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008833:Microcirculation; D008863:Microspheres; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D003287:Contrast Media; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C059891:SHU 508; D004176:Dipyridamole