ABSTRACT
AIMS: To compare (1) conventional left ventricular (LV) functional parameters, (2) LV peak strain and strain rate and (3) LV temporal strain and strain rate curves in age, ethnicity and sport-matched athletes with concentric, eccentric and normal LV geometry. METHODS: Forty-five male athletes were categorised according to LV geometry including concentric remodelling/hypertrophy (CON), eccentric hypertrophy (ECC) or normal (NORM). Athletes were evaluated using conventional echocardiography and myocardial speck tracking, allowing the assessment of myocardial strain and strain rate; as well as twist mechanics. RESULTS: Concentric remodelling was associated with an increased ejection fraction (EF) compared to normal geometry athletes (64% (48-78%) and 56% (50-65%), respectively; p < 0.04). No differences in peak myocardial strain or strain rate were present between LV geometry groups including global longitudinal strain (GLS; CON -16.9% (-14.9-20.6%); ECC -17.9% (-13.0-22.1%); NORM -16.9% (-12.8-19.4%)), global circumferential strain (GCS; CON -18.1% (-13.5-24.5%); ECC -18.7% (-15.6-22.4%); NORM -18.0% (-13.5-19.7%)), global radial strain (GRS; CON 42.2% (30.3-70.5%); ECC 50.0% (39.2-60.0%); NORM 40.6 (29.9-57.0%)) and twist (CON 14.9° (3.7-25.3°); ECC 12.5° (6.3-20.8°); NORM 13.2° (8.8-24.2°)). Concentric and eccentric remodelling was associated with alterations in temporal myocardial strain and strain rate as compared to normal geometry athletes. CONCLUSION: Physiological concentric and eccentric remodelling in the athletes heart is generally associated with normal LV function; with concentric remodelling associated with an increased EF. Physiological concentric and eccentric remodelling in the athletes heart has no effect on peak myocardial strain but superior deformation and untwisting is unmasked when assessing the temporal distribution.
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the data that is collected and analysed annually by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), on behalf of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Jersey, Guernsey, and Isle of Man. The respective regulatory authorities provide data on the permits to dispose of dredged material that have been issued in a reporting year (January to December) as well as the amount of material that has been disposed within designated disposal sites within the same reporting year. The data are analysed to determine the contaminant loading that is placed at the respective disposal sites. Outputs from data analysis are submitted to international treaties (The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic and the London Convention/ London Protection) to determine progress towards the objectives of reducing pollution into the marine environment.
ABSTRACT
Effective rate-adaptive pacing may be difficult in the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF), and is important during high-intensity exercise. This case presents a 74-year-old elite cyclist with AF and a biventricular pacemaker after atrioventricular (AV) node ablation. He reported sudden breathlessness due to heart rate drops, caused by breaching the artefact threshold on the minute-ventilation sensor. He was exchanged to a generator with an impedance-derived contractility sensor (closed-loop stimulation), resulting in resolution of symptoms, and no further rate drops. This is the first description of the utility of closed-loop stimulation in high-intensity exercise.
