| 1. |
- Aagaard, Philip, et al.
(författare)
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Early Repolarization in Middle-Age Runners-Cardiovascular Characteristics.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. - 0195-9131 .- 1530-0315. ; 46:7, s. 1285-1292
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and patterns of early repolarization (ER) in middle-age long-distance runners, its relation to cardiac structure and function, and its response to strenuous physical activity. Methods: Male first-time cross-country race participants >45 yr were assessed pre-and postrace by medical history and physical examination, 12-lead ECG, vectorcardiography, blood tests, and echocardiography. ER was defined either as ST elevation or J wave and categorized according to localization and morphology. Results: One hundred and fifty-one subjects (50 +/- 5 yr) were evaluated before the race, and 47 subjects were evaluated after the race. Altogether, 67 subjects (44%) had ER. Subjects with versus without ER had a lower resting HR (56 +/- 8 vs 69 +/- 9 bpm, P = 0.02), lower body mass index (24 +/- 2 vs 25 +/- 3 kg.m(-2), P < 0.001), higher training volume (3.0 +/- 2.6 vs 2.1 +/- 2.7 h.wk(-1), P = 0.03), and faster 30-km running times (194 +/- 28 vs 208 +/- 31 min, P = 0.01). Vectorcardiography parameters in subjects with ER showed more repolarization heterogeneity: vector gradient (QRS-T-area) (120 +/- 25 vs 92 +/- 29 mu Vs, P < 0.001), T-area (105 +/- 18 vs 73 +/- 23 mu Vs, P < 0.001), and T-amplitude (0.63 +/- 0.13 vs 0.53 +/- 0.16 mm, P < 0.001); these parameters were inversely related to HR (r = -0.37 to -0.48, P < 0.001). ER disappeared in 15 (75%) of 20 subjects after the race. Conclusions: ER is a common finding in middle-age male runners. This ECG pattern, regardless of morphology and localization, is associated with normal cardiac examinations including noninvasive electrophysiology, features of better physical conditioning, and disappears after strenuous exercise in most cases. These findings support that ER should be regarded as a common and training-related finding also in middle-age physically active men.
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| 2. |
- Andersen, Kasper, 1974-
(författare)
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Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim was to investigate associations of fitness and types and levels of physical activity with subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease.Four large-scale longitudinal cohort studies were used. The exposures were different measures related to physical activity and the outcomes were obtained through linkage to the Swedish In-Patient Register. In a cohort of 466 elderly men without pre-existing cardiovascular disease, we found that skeletal muscle morphology was associated with risk of cardiovascular events. A high amount of type I (slow-twitch, oxidative) skeletal muscle fibres was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and high amount of type IIx was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events. This association was only seen among physically active men. Among 39,805 participants in a fundraising event, higher levels of both total and leisure time physical activity were associated with lower risk of heart failure. The associations were strongest for leisure time physical activity. In a cohort of 53,755 participants in the 90 km skiing event Vasaloppet, a higher number of completed races was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation and a higher risk of bradyarrhythmias. Further, better relative performance was associated with a higher risk of bradyarrhythmias. Among 1,26 million Swedish 18-year-old men, exercise capacity and muscle strength were independently associated with lower risk of vascular disease. The associations were seen across a range of major vascular disease events (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke and cardiovascular death). Further, high exercise capacity was associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation and a U-shaped association with bradyarrhythmias was found. Higher muscle strength was associated with lower risk of bradyarrhythmias and lower risk of ventricular arrhythmias.These findings suggest a higher rate of atrial fibrillation with higher levels of physical activity. The higher risk of atrial fibrillation does not appear to lead to a higher risk of stroke. In contrast, we found a strong inverse association of higher exercise capacity and muscle strength with vascular disease. Further, high exercise capacity and muscle strength are related to lower risk of cardiovascular death, including arrhythmia deaths. From a population perspective, the total impact of physical activity on cardiovascular disease is positive.
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| 3. |
- Braunschweig, Frieder, et al.
(författare)
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Paroxysmal regular supraventricular tachycardia: the diagnostic accuracy of the transesophageal ventriculo-atrial interval.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology. - 1542-474X. ; 16:4, s. 327-335
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To establish the diagnostic accuracy of the transesophageal ventriculo-atrial (VA) interval in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and normal baseline electrocardiogram (ECG). Methods: The transesophageal VA interval during tachycardia was recorded in 318 patients (age 45 ± 17 years, 58% female) with PSVT and a normal surface ECG between attacks. Subsequently, all patients underwent an ablation procedure establishing the correct tachycardia diagnosis. Results: AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), AV reentrant tachycardia through a concealed accessory pathway (AVRT), and ectopic atrial tachycardia (EAT) were found in 213, 95, and 10 cases, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified an optimal cutoff for a binary categorization of AVNRT versus AVRT/EAT at ≤80 ms (area under the curve 0.891). Owing to a biphasic distribution, AVNRT was very likely at VA intervals ≤90 ms with a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 87%, 91%, and 95%. In the range 91–160 ms the corresponding values for AVRT were 88%, 95%, and 88% (90%, 99%, and 98% in male patients). In the small group with VA intervals >160 ms (n = 29), the diagnosis was less clear (PPV of 67% for AVNRT). Conclusions: In patients with sudden onset regular tachycardia and a normal ECG during sinus rhythm, a transesophageal VA interval of ≤80 ms has the highest diagnostic accuracy to diagnose AVNRT versus AVRT/EAT. Overall, the biphasic distribution of VA intervals suggests considering AVNRT at 90 ms and below and AVRT between 91 and 160 ms (in particular in male patients) while the diagnosis is vague at VA intervals above 160 ms.
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| 4. |
- Braunschweig, Frieder, et al.
(författare)
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Transient repolarization instability following the initiation of cardiac resynchronization therapy.
- 2011
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Ingår i: EP Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1532-2092. ; 13:9, s. 1327-1334
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may cause changes in ventricular repolarization (VR), particularly in the initial phase of treatment. This study investigated the effect of CRT cessation and re-initiation on parameters of VR duration and heterogeneity at different paced heart rates. Methods Cardiac resynchronization therapy was inactivated for 2 weeks in 16 treatment responders to CRT. QT and JT intervals were measured on the surface electrocardiogram at 60, 70, and 80 bpm (randomized order) and vectorcardiography (VCG) was performed with CRT ‘on’ (day 0), ‘off’ (day 0, 1, 7, and 14) and after CRT re-initiation (day 14, 15, 16, and 21). On day 0 (‘on’) and 14 (‘off’) echocardiography, the 6 min walking distance and brain natriuretic peptide were assessed. Results The QT interval at baseline (CRT ‘on’), measured at 60, 70, and 80 bpm, was 482 ± 31, 468 ± 37, and 457 ± 39 ms, respectively, and decreased by 5, 5, and 6% during the first week following CRT cessation (all P< 0.05). Immediately after re-initiation on day 14, it increased again by 20 ± 18 (4%; P< 0.05), 34 ± 39 (8%; P< 0.01), and 16 ± 38 ms (4%, ns) followed by a gradual decrease towards previous ‘off’ levels. Similar changes were observed for the JT interval. Ventricular repolarization duration was significantly shortened by increasing the paced heart rate from 60 to 70 and 80 bpm. Vectorcardiography parameters reflecting VR gradients (ST-vector magnitude, Tarea, and Tavplan) increased significantly (by 31, 45, and 71%) after CRT cessation. A similar but non-significant pattern was observed after CRT re-initiation. Conclusion The increase in repolarization duration and gradients observed after CRT initiation suggests a transient state of VR instability that can be attenuated by programming of higher paced heart rates during the initial phase of treatment.
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| 5. |
- Lund, Lars H., et al.
(författare)
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Age, prognostic impact of QRS prolongation and left bundle branch block, and utilization of cardiac resynchronization therapy: findings from 14713 patients in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry
- 2014
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B / Wiley. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 16:10, s. 1073-1081
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimsAge is not a contraindication to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), but the prevalence and prognostic impact of QRS prolongation with intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD) and left bundle branch block (LBBB), as well as CRT utilization, may differ with age. We tested the hypotheses that in the elderly: (i) IVCD and LBBB are more prevalent, (ii) IVCD and LBBB are more harmful, and (iii) CRT is underutilized. Methods and resultsWe studied 14713 patients with ejection fraction 39% in the Swedish Heart Failure Registry and divided into age groups 65years, 66-80years and greater than80years. Among 13782 patients without CRT, IVCD was present in the three age groups in 11% vs. 15% vs. 19% and LBBB was present in 20% vs. 27% vs. 28%, respectively, (Pless than0.001). The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality over a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 29 (12-53) months for IVCD vs. narrow QRS was 1.31 (1.06-1.63, P=0.013) in the 65year group, 1.32 (1.17-1.47, Pless than0.001) in the 66-80year group, and 1.26 (1.21-1.41, pless than0.001) in the greater than80year group. For LBBB vs. narrow QRS it was 1.29 (1.07-1.56, P=0.009), 1.17 (1.06-1.30, P=0.002), and 1.10 (0.99-1.22, P=0.091), respectively. The adjusted P for interaction between age and QRS morphology was 0.664. In the three age groups, CRT was present in 6% vs. 8% vs. 4% and absent but with indication in 23% vs. 32% vs. 37%, respectively (Pless than0.001). ConclusionsBoth IVCD and LBBB were more common with increasing age and were similarly strong independent predictors of mortality and in all ages. The underutilization of CRT was worse with increasing age.
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| 6. |
- Mattsson, C. Mikael, et al.
(författare)
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Late cardiovascular drift observable during ultra endurance exercise.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. - 0195-9131 .- 1530-0315. ; 43:7, s. 1162-1168
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The present study investigates the adaptation of the central circulation to ultraenduranceexercise, including the relative contributions of changes in stroke volume (SV) andarterio-venous oxygen difference (a-v O2 diff) to the increased oxygen pulse (VO2/HR).Methods: We evaluated subjects undergoing 12h of mixed exercise at controlled intensity(n=8) and a 53h Adventure race (n=20). Heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO2), and cardiacoutput determined using non-invasive gas rebreathing (CORB) were measured during cyclingat fixed work rate after 0, 4, 8, 12 hours, and 0, 20, and 53 hours of continuous exercise in the12 and 53 h protocol, respectively.Results and Conclusion: The central circulation changed in several steps in response to ultraenduranceexercise. Compared to initial levels, VO2 was increased at every time-point measured.The increase was attributed to peripheral adaptations, confirmed by a close correlation betweenchange in VO2 and change in a-v O2 diff. The first step of the circulatory response was typical ofnormal (early) cardiovascular drift, with increased HR and concomitantly decreased SV andVO2/HR, occurring over the first 4-6 h. The second step, which continued until approximately 12h, included reversed HR-drift, with normalization of SV and VO2/HR. When exercise continueduntil 50 h late cardiovascular drift was noted, characterized by increased VO2/HR, (indicatingmore efficient energy distribution), decreased peripheral resistance, increased stroke volume, anddecreased work of the heart. Since cardiac output was maintained at all time points we interpretthe changes as physiologically appropriate adaptations to ultra-endurance exercise.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Sahlén, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Altered ventriculo-arterial coupling during exercise in athletes releasing biomarkers after endurance running
- 2012
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Ingår i: European Journal of Applied Physiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1439-6319 .- 1439-6327. ; 112:12, s. 4069-4079
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exercise can lead to release of biomarkers such as cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a poorly understood phenomenon proposed to especially occur with highintensity exercise in less trained subjects. We hypothesised that haemodynamic perturbations during exercise are larger in athletes with cTnT release, and studied athletes with detectable cTnT levels after an endurance event (HIGH; n = 16; 46 ± 9 years) against matched controls whose levels were undetectable (LOW; n = 11; 44 ± 7 years). Echocardiography was performed at rest and at peak supine bicycle exercise stress. Left ventricular (LV) end-systolic elastance (ELV a load-independent measure of LV contractility), effective arterial elastance (EA a lumped index of arterial load) and end-systolic meridional wall stress were calculated from cardiac dimensions and brachial blood pressure. Efficiency of cardiac work was judged from the ventriculo-arterial coupling ratio (EA/ELV: optimal range 0.5-1.0). While subgroups had similar values at rest, we found ventriculo-arterial mismatch during exercise in HIGH subjects (0.47 (0.39-0.58) vs. LOW: 0.73 (0.62-0.83); p<0.01] due to unopposed increase in ELV (p<0.05). In LOW subjects, a greater increase occurred in EA during exercise (+81 ± 67 % vs. HIGH: +39 ± 32 %; p = 0.02) which contributed to a maintained coupling ratio. Subjects with higher baseline NT-proBNP had greater systolic wall stress during exercise (R2 = 0.39; p<0.01) despite no correlation at rest (p = ns). In conclusion, athletes with exercise-induced biomarker release exhibit ventriculo-arterial mismatch during exercise, suggesting non-optimal cardiac work may contribute to this phenomenon.
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