Echocardiographic Characterization of the Inferior Vena Cava in Trained and Untrained Females.
The aim of the study was to explore the long- and short-axis dimensions, shape and collapsibility of the inferior vena cava in 46 trained and 48 untrained females (mean age: 21 ± 2 y). Echocardiography in the subcostal view revealed a larger expiratory long-axis diameter (mean: 24 ± 3 vs. 20 ± 3 mm, p < 0.001) and short-axis area (mean: 5.5 ± 1.5 vs. 4.7 ± 1.4 cm2, p = 0.014) in trained females. IVC shape (the ratio of short-axis major to minor diameters) and the relative decrease in IVC dimension with inspiration were similar for the two groups. The IVC long-axis diameter reflected short-axis minor diameter and was correlated to maximal oxygen uptake (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). In summary, the results indicate that trained females have a larger IVC similar in shape and respiratory decrease in dimensions to that of untrained females. The long-axis diameter corresponded closely to short-axis minor diameter and, thus, underestimates maximal IVC diameter.
Department of Clinical Physiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. Electronic address: kristofer.hedman@liu.se.
Kristofer
K
Hedman
Department of Clinical Physiology and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Eva
E
Nylander
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Jan
J
Henriksson
Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Physiology, County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
Niclas
N
Bjarnegård
Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Clinical Physiology, County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden.
Lars
L
Brudin
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Éva
É
Tamás
D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Athlete's heart; Echocardiography; Exercise training; Inferior vena cava; Maximal oxygen uptake; Sports cardiology