Myra Sabene Cocker1, Oliver Strohm1, David J. Smith2, Craig Butler1, Israel Belenkie3, Willem Meeuwisse4, Matthias G. Friedrich1
1Stephenson CMR Centre at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 2Human Performance Lab, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 3Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 4Sports Medicine Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Background: Athletes have a greater risk of sudden cardiac death then the rest of the population. Autopsy findings show evidence for myocardial fibrosis in athletes. We speculate that a large proportion of athletes have evidence for myocardial fibrosis. Methods: 48 elite high-endurance athletes and 8 healthy controls were recruited. Following LV function assessment, contrast enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed to assess for the presence of myocardial fibrosis. Results: 77% of athletes had myocardial fibrosis in late enhancement image, compared to 13% of healthy control subjects.