"Ventricular structure, function, and focal fibrosis in anabolic steroid users: a CMR study"

Angell, Peter J. and Ismail, Tevfik F and Jabbour, Andrew and Smith, Gillian and Dahl, Annette and Wage, Ricardo and Whyte, Greg and Green, Daniel J. and Prasad, Sanjay and George, Keith (2014) "Ventricular structure, function, and focal fibrosis in anabolic steroid users: a CMR study". European Journal of Applied Physiology, 114. pp. 921-928. ISSN 1439-6319

Text Angell P - Anabolic steroid and MRI-EJAP-Reviewer Changes-Unmarked.docx Download (104kB)

Abstract

"Purpose Anabolic steroid (AS) misuse is widespread
amongst recreational bodybuilders; however, their effects
on the cardiovascular system are uncertain. Our aim was to document the impact of AS use on cardiac structure, function and the presence of focal fibrosis using the gold standard cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods A cross-sectional cohort design was utilised with 21 strength-trained participants who underwent CMR imaging of the heart and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Thirteen participants (30 ± 5 years) taking AS for at least 2 years and currently on a “using”-cycle were compared with age and training-matched controls (n = 8;29 ± 6 years) who self-reported never having taken AS (NAS). Results AS users had higher absolute left ventricular (LV) mass (220 ± 45 g) compared to NAS (163 ± 27 g; p < 0.05) but this difference was removed when indexed to fat-free mass. AS had a reduced right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (AS 51 ± 4 % vs. NAS 59 ± 5 %; p < 0.05) and a significantly lower left ventricular E: A myocardial tissue velocity ratio [AS 0.99(0.54) vs. NAS 1.78(0.46) p < 0.05] predominantly
due to greater tissue velocities with atrial contraction.
Peak LV longitudinal strain was lower in AS users (AS
−14.2 ± 2.7 % vs. NAS −16.6 ± 1.9 %; p < 0.05). There
was no evidence of focal fibrosis in any participant.
Conclusions AS use was associated with significant
LV hypertrophy, albeit in-line with greater fat-free mass, reduced LV strain, diastolic function, and reduced RV ejection fraction in male bodybuilders. There was, however, no evidence of focal fibrosis in any AS user."

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information and Comments:	The final publication is available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00421-014-2820-2.
Keywords:	"Left ventricular hypertrophy · Fibrosis · Echocardiography · Diastolic function"
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences > School of Health and Sport Sciences
Depositing User:	Karen Foxton
Date Deposited:	16 Mar 2016 15:46
Last Modified:	18 Apr 2020 09:50
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/773

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