Investigation of Myocardial Function and Vascular Adaptation in Association With Genotype in Marathon Runners

Regular exercise leads to an improvement of cardiovascular risc factors in patients with coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and metabolic disorders. Aerobic exercise has anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, the exertional exercise of marathon running causes an acute pro-inflammatory impulse. This may lead to myocardial injury and, in case of preexisting plaques, may result in plaque rupture and acute myocardial infarction.

We aim to define the critical role of inflammatory markers and cardiovascular risc factors as a predictor of an increased risk for myocardial and endothelial dysfunction in marathon runners.

Diagnostic tools include measurements of augmentation index (AIx), arteriolar-venular ratio (AVR) and, for the first time, 2D and 3D echocardiographic measurements such as TDI-imaging and speckle tracking. Inflammatory markers include c-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins and tumor necrosis factor. Additionally, cardiovascular markers are measured. All variations are analysed on the basis of genotype characteristics/polymorphisms.