Comparative study of central hemodynamics, myocardial contractility and left-ventricular wall tension in athletes and patients

The purpose of the study was to extend our knowledge about the "athletic" heart and improve diagnosis of latent manifestations of cardiac insufficiency. Echocardiography was used to examine central hemodynamics, myocardial contractility and left-ventricle wall tension in athletes and patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and arterial hypertension at rest and after exercise tests. The study of time-course variations of these parameters revealed different patterns of initial dilation and development of further dilation and hypertrophy in athletes and patients. The most sensitive index of contractility was meridional and circular tension of the left-ventricle wall which was the lowest in athletes and the highest in IHD patients.