Evaluation of Left Ventricular Eddy Current in Elite Female Ice Hockey Players by Using Vector Flow Mapping

Objective: To explore the changes of left ventricular vortex in elite female ice hockey players who conducted long-term high-intensity exercise training. Methods: A total of 19 elite female ice hockey players(athlete group) and 19 healthy young women(control group) were examined by transthoracic echocardiography, the vector flow mapping(VFM) technology was executed to calculate the rotation direction, position, relative duration and relative size of the vortex at the early diastolic phase(V1) and late diastolic phase(V2) under the apical three-chamber view. Results: 1) No significant difference was observed in RWT, PWTd, LVEF,LVFS, and A between the two groups(P>0.05); compared with the control group, the IVSd, LVM, LVMI, LVEDD, LVEDV,LVESV, E, E/A, SV and CO were increased in the athlete group(P<0.05); standardized by BSA, the significant difference was still observed in LVEDV and SV between the two groups(P<0.05). 2) There was no significant difference in position, direction, and relative size of vortex at V1 and V2 between the two groups(P>0.05); however, the relative duration of vortex was significant different at V1 and V2 between the two groups(P<0.05). 3) The relative size of vortex at V2 was highly correlated with relative size of vortex at V1, LVEDD, LVEDV, and SV(P<0.05). Conclusion: 1) The cardiac structure of female ice hockey players shows normal exercise adaptation, the cardiac systolic and diastolic functions are good. 2) The duration of the left ventricular diastolic vortex in elite female ice hockey players is prolonged, which enables the fusion of multi-directional blood flow without excessive energy loss, and increases the left ventricular volume without significant increase in filling pressure. The abovementioned changes are conducive to ventricular compliance and diastolic function, and helpful to ensure the return blood volume under the condition of average working heart rate(WHR) >90%HRmax, improving the cardiac ejection function and benefit the muscle energy demand during exercise.