The size and shape of the inferior vena cava in trained and untrained females in relation to maximal oxygen uptake

• Background. The increase in cardiac dimensions following endurance training is well acknowledged. A few studies report a larger inferior vena cava (IVC) in trained, predominatly male subjects while athlete-control studies upon females are lacking. Previous studies were constrained to long-axis measurements, and there are no reports in the literature on IVC short-axis dimensions and shape in athletes.Methods and Results. Forty-eight sedentary and 46 endurance trained females (mean age 21±2 years, VO2max 39±5 vs. 52±5 mL×kg-1×min-1, p<0.001) underwent echocardiographic examination including IVC diameter and cross-sectional area measured in the subcostal view. IVC shape was calculated as the ratio of short-axis major-to-minor diameter.Five out of eight IVC dimensions were larger in trained females, including maximal long-axis diameter (mean 24±3 vs. 20±3 mm, p<0.001) and maximal short-axis area (mean 5.5±1.5 vs. 4.7±1.4 cm2, p=0.022). Both groups presented with a slightly oval IVC with no differences between the groups in IVC shape or inspiratory decrease in any IVC dimension. The IVC long-axis diameter reflected the minor-axis diameter obtained in the short-axis view, during both expiration and inspiration. Positive correlations were seen between maximal IVC long-axis diameter and maximal oxygen uptake (r=0.52, p<0.01), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (r=0.46, p<0.01) and right atrial area (r=0.49, p<0.01).Conclusion. The IVC was larger in endurance trained than in untrained females but showed similar shape and inspiratory decrease in dimensions. The long-axis IVC diameter was related to maximal oxygen uptake.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Inferior Vena Cava

Athlete’s heart

Exercise Training

Sports Cardiology

Maximal Oxygen Uptake

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)