ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORONARY ARTERY STENOSIS SEVERITY, CARDIAC FUNCTION GRADES, AND RIGHT HEART FUNCTION IN ATHLETES

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between coronary artery stenosis, cardiac function grades, and right heart function in athletes using echocardiography. Methods: This study included 300 participants, divided equally into a study group of athletes with coronary artery stenosis and a control group of healthy athletes, observed from May 2022 to May 2023. Echocardiographic assessments were used to monitor and analyze clinical indicators. The study group was further categorized based on NYHA cardiac function grades and the degree of coronary artery stenosis to examine correlations with right heart function. Results: Significant differences were noted in right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and myocardial performance (Tei index) between the groups, with worse values observed as the severity of stenosis and cardiac function grade increased. Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between the severity of coronary artery stenosis, higher cardiac function grades, and increases in right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV), and right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV), with negative impacts on RVEF and Tei index. Conclusion: Echocardiography effectively assesses the impact of coronary artery stenosis and cardiac function on right heart function in athletes, highlighting the importance of these parameters in evaluating the severity of cardiac impairment. This study underscores the utility of echocardiographic evaluations in sports medicine for athletes with coronary conditions.