Resumo

GABRIELLI, Luigi et al. Circulating cardiotrophyn-1 may help differenciate left ventricular hypertrophy seen in athletes from pathologic left ventricular hypertrophy associated to hypertension. Rev Chil Cardiol [online]. 2009, vol.28, n.1, pp. 13-20. ISSN 0718-8560.

Background: Cardiotrophyn-1 (CT-1), is a cytokine which is increased in patients with hypertension (HT) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This increase occurs in proportion to left atrial size and left ventricular filling pressures. CT-1 levels in athletes with LVH have not been investigated Methods: Crossectional study. We evaluated: a) hypertensive patients with LVH and E/E' > 10 by echocardiography, recently diagnosed and receiving no medications; b) normotensive athletes with LVH as shown by echocardiography, and c) normotensive subjects, paired by age and sex. Plasma levels of CT-1 (ELISA) were measured in all. LVH was defined as left ventricular mass index > 115 G/m² (males) or > 95 G/m² (females). Results: E/E' was lower in athletes than hypertensive patients with LVH (6.5 ± 1 vs 12.9 ± 1.1, p<0.01). E/E' in both control subjects and patients with HTA but no LVH did not differ from E/E' in athletes. CT-1 was lower in athletes than patients with HTA and LVH (6.6 ± 0.4 vs 18.2 ± 5.6 fmol/ml, respectively, p<0.001). CT-1 levels in control subjects and hypertensive patients without LVH did not differ from that found in athletes. Conclusion: CT-1 levels are similar in athletes compared to normal subjects and patients with HTA and no LVH. Hypertensive patients with similar grades of LVH and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction had significantly greater leves of CT-1. Thus, CT-1 levels could help differentiate pathological HVI from physiologic LVH in athletes.

Palavras-chave : Left ventricular hypertrophy; hypertension; athletes.