title: Elite athletes with mitral or aortic regurgitation and their cardiopulmonary capability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aortic or mitral valvular regurgitation (left cardiac valvular regurgitation, LCVR) of less than second-degree (< degree II) occasionally found in competitive athletes is of questionable relevance. Precisely detectable by echocardiography there is scarce published data that clarifies cardiopulmonary capacity or any limitations LCVR < degree ll may cause.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this single-centre study we consecutively recruited highly trained athletes (n= 14) with LCVR < degree ll detected in 2D echo. Not included were athletes with multi- or right-cardiac valvular dysfunction and structural heart disease other than bicuspid aortic valve or mitral valve prolaps. Target parameters were determined by 2D echo and spiroergometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences with regard to age and body mass index. Echocardiographically determined muscle mass index was increased in both groups (134 14.7 vs 129.6+/-27.5; P=0.69), whereas the left-ventricular end-diastolic diameter index was significant higher in the LCVR < degree II group (27.3 +/- 1.3 vs 25.2 +/- 2.4; P = 0.04). However, there were no significant differences with regard to (oxygen uptake) V02, at baseline (athletes with LCVR < degree II 5.7 +/- 0.9 vs controls 5 +/- 0.96, P= 0.06), at the anaerobic threshold (athletes with LCVR < degree II 47.3 +/-8.4 vs controls 47.4 +/- 5, P= 0.97) and maximally (VO2max; athletes with LCVR < degree II 57.7 6.3 vs controls 57.1 +/- 5.1, P= 0.81). Neither levels of lactate nor of brain natriuretic peptide differed significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High level athletes presenting with aortic or mitral regurgitation < degree II in are not disadvantaged with regard to their cardiopulmonary capability.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Cardiology and Angiology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. christoph.langer@uksh.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Butz
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Mellwig
authors.forename: Emanoel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oepangat
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fruend
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horstkotte
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiemer
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Van Buuren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056352:Athletes; D004452:Echocardiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult