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Left ventricular hypertrabeculation more common in black, male athletes

Issue: June 2012

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Men and black elite athletes appear to be at greater risk for left ventricular hypertrabeculation as compared with sedentary individuals, according to study results presented at the World Congress of Cardiology.

Researchers performed a cardiac evaluation, including electrocardiogram and echocardiography, on 692 athletes (mean age, 22.4 years; 74.7% men) and 455 sedentary controls (mean age, 19.6 years; 69.2% men) between 2006 and 2011. In accordance with the European Society of Cardiology sports cardiology consensus and guidelines, researchers analyzed ECGs for specific abnormalities and standard echocardiographic measurements.

Defined by the presence of three or more trabeculations in the left ventricle, prominent left ventricular hypertrabeculation (LVHT) was found in 47 athletes vs. two controls (6.8% vs. 0.44%; P,.001). According to study results, LVHT was more common in black participants (13.2% vs. 4%; P,.001) and male athletes (8.5% vs. 1.7%; P=.001). T-wave inversions were more prevalent among athletes with LVHT, as well as a greater maximal LV wall thickness on echocardiography.

Of all the participants, none fulfilled diagnostic criteria for any form of cardiomyopathy.

“The high prevalence of LVHT among athletes suggests that this may represent part of the spectrum of cardiac adaptations that are known to make up ‘athlete’s heart,’” Navin Chandra, MD, of St. George’s University of London, said in a press release. “Given that LVHT is a feature of sudden cardiac death, its prevalence among athletes creates greater challenges for doctors trying to differentiate between athlete’s heart and a serious medical condition, particularly in black male athletes where the prevalence is much higher.”

Disclosure: Dr. Chandra reports no relevant financial disclosures.