Bicuspid aortic valve and sport

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the clinical manifestations of the pathology of the aortic valve in athletes of the initial stage of sports training and to analyze the literature data on the admission of persons with bicuspid aortic valve to training and competition. Materials and methods: 5000 athletes of the initial stage of sports training at the age of 10-12 years were examined. Examination of athletes included electrocardiography at rest and exercise, echocardiography and Holter monitoring. Anatomical features of the aortic valves were revealed in 7 (0.14%) athletes: 6 (0.12%) athletes with bicuspid aortic valve, 1 athlete (0.02%) with quadrileaflet aortic valve. The literature review included analysis of publications on the subject from two electronic library databases: Elibrary and PubMed. Results: conducted studies did not confirm the assumption of dilatation of the ascending aorta under the influence of intense physical exertion in athletes with the pathology of the aortic valve. The analysis of publications showed contradictory opinions of the researchers. Conclusions: the clinical cases, literature data, as well as the official recommendations of the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiologists (2015) on admission of patients with aortic diseases to sports and competitions showed that in the absence of significant hemodynamic disturbances, dilatation of left ventricle and aorta root with normal ECG parameters and tolerance to physical activity, patients with bicuspid aortic valve could be allowed to exercise without restriction. However, these athletes must be under strict dynamic control of the heart.