Whole blood viscosity and left ventricle geometry in elite athletes: a study on athlete's heart

Aim: In this study, the relationship between whole blood viscosity and left ventricular remodeling in a group of elite athletes was evaluated. Material and Methods: This study was carried out with the participation of elite athletes (65 footballers, 12 basketball players). Left ventricular mass was calculated by transthoracic echocardiography. The calculation of the whole blood viscosity was performed by using both the high shear rate (HSR = 208/s) and the lower shear rate (LSR = 0.5/s) through the formulas using hematocrit and total plasma protein concentration. Left ventricular mass index above 115 g/m2 was defined as left ventricular hypertrophy. The whole blood viscosities and clinical features of the participants were compared according to the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Results: Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 24 athletes.Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 24 athletes. Whole blood viscosity at both high shear rate (HSR whole blood viscosity for the group without left ventricular hypertrophy = 17.4 ± 0.89 cP, vs HSR whole blood viscosity for the group with hypertrophy= 17.95 ± 0.78 cP; p = 0.011), LSR whole blood viscosity for group without left ventricular hypertrophy = 63.7 ± 18.9 cP vs LSR whole blood viscosity for the group with hypertrophy = 76.36 ± 16.35 cP; p = 0.006) left ventricular hypertrophy was significantly higher in the group of athletes. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, whole blood viscosity was taken to separate models for low and high shear rates. Whole blood viscosity at the low shear rate (OR=1.057, 95% CI: 1.017-1.098; p=0.005), as well as at the high shear rate (OR=2.885, 95% CI: 1.319-6.313; p=0.008) was significantly associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusion: Whole blood viscosity may have a possible role in left ventricular hypertrophy observed in elite athletes