Aortic root size in Lithuanian athletes

Purpose: To measure the diameter of aortic root and to evaluate differences between athletes and nonathletes, also differences between endurance-trained and strength- trained athletes.Methods: A pilot study has been performed. Approval from Bioethics Centre of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (NR. BEC –MF-481) was received. The study was performed at Kaunas Sports Medicine Center. 218 people (age 21.97 ± 5.28 years) underwent transthoracic echocardiography: 185 athletes (endurance-trained 35 women and 86 men; strength-trained 22 women and 42 men) and 33 nonathletes (17 women, 16 men). The enddiastolic aortic diameters were measured at 2 locations: the aortic valve annulus (Aoann) and the sinus of Valsalva (Aosin). Aortic root mean values for body surface area were presented (RAoann and RAosin). The data was presented as the mean ± SD. The non-parametric Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the independent samples. Differences were significant at p < 0.05. Results: 1. Women athletes: Aosin - 29.02 ± 2.37 mm, RAosin - 16.47 ± 1.85 mm/m2; Aoann - 20.29 ± 1.87 mm, RAoann - 11.49 ± 1.21 mm/m2. Women nonathletes: Aosin 27.57 ± 2.75 mm, RAosin - 15.93 ± 1.85 mm/m2, Aoann - 19.43 ± 1.62 mm, RAoann - 11.25 ± 1.39 mm/m2. However, differences were not significant. 2. Men athletes: Aosin - 31.24 ± 3.47 mm, RAosin -15.87 ± 2.01 mm/m2; Aoann - 22.52 ± 2.41 mm, RAoann - 11.21 ± 1.39 mm/m2. Men nonathletes - Aosin 30.82 ± 3.4 mm, RAosin - 15.7 ± 1.75mm/m2, Aoann - 22.19 ± 2.6 mm, RAoann - 11.26 ± 0.75 mm/m2. However, differences were not significant. 3. Strength-trained women RAosin 17.50 ± 1.75 mm/m2, RAoann - 12.47 ± 1.42 mm/m2, endurance-trained women RAosin 16.19 ± 1.79 mm/m2. RAoann 11.23 ± 1.01 mm/m2. Differences were significant (p < 0.05). 4. Strength-trained men RAosin 16.02 ± 1.81 mm/m2, RAoann - 10.91 ± 1.04 mm/m2, endurance-trained men RAosin 15.73 ± 1.87 mm/m2. RAoann - 11.53 ± 1.17 mm/m2. Conclusion: In conclusion,