Is Endurance Exercise Safe? The Myth of Pheidippides.

With the increase in participation in endurance events in the general population, patient concern may arise as to whether endurance exercise is safe. Acute but not chronic increases in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urine albumin occur in endurance exercise. Iron-deficiency anemia may be observed in female athletes. Upper respiratory illness is increased in elite athletes but decreased in intense recreational athletes. No convincing evidence of developing osteoarthritis exists. Common gastrointestinal symptoms occur and isolated reports of gastrointestinal bleeding exist. Nevi are increased and the minimal erythematous dose is decreased. Exercising in the presence of air pollution has negative pulmonary effects, but overall, benefit exists. Numerous reports pertain to the cardiovascular system. The risk of cardiac arrest increases during exercise, troponin is elevated after exercise, and a predisposition for atrial fibrillation exists. Ventricular myocardial scar formation as assessed by gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging is inconsistently observed, and increased coronary plaque of a more stable variety is reported. Left ventricular compliance is chronically increased and no decrease in longevity is found. Although some concerns exist, endurance exercise is safe.

Hypoxemia without persistent right-to-left pressure gradient across a patent foramen ovale: A clinical challenge.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for systemic hypoxemia is controversial. The first systematic, albeit retrospective, study was recently presented which showed good procedural and clinical success for PFO closure for this indication. We present a case of acute right to left intra-cardiac shunt across PFO where the shunting is not persistent. Hence making a decision on PFO closure based on the aforementioned promising trial may not have been the right decision for the patient. This case highlights that the decision on PFO closure for such indication needs to be individualized. We also review the sparse literature on PFO closure for this indication and discuss how the decision making for such indication needs to be individualized.