title: Cardiac effects of anabolic steroids: hypertrophy, ischemia and electrical remodelling as potential triggers of sudden death.
abstract: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic testosterone derivatives developed to maximise anabolic activity and minimise androgenic activity. AAS abuse is widespread among both athletes and non-athletes at fitness centres and is becoming a public health issue. In addition to their atherogenic, thrombogenic and spastic effects, AAS have direct cardiotoxic effects by causing hypertrophy, electrical and structural remodelling, and contractile dysfunction and by increasing the susceptibility to ischemic injuries. All of these factors contribute to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
authors: Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jhmn@biof.ufrj.br
authors: J H M
authors: JH
authors: Nascimento
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Medei
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D004300:Doping in Sports; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000209:etiology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D013256:Steroids