Marathon Running Does Not Lead to RV Deterioration at Long-Term Follow-Up

Background: Vigorous exercise is associated with significant health benefits, but high-volume exercise may be associated with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and tissue injury, occurring with an acute increase in troponin levels. For that reason, there is concern that frequent exercise workloads, such as in regular marathons, could lead to permanent RV dysfunction and arrhythmogenesis. Objective: To determine if troponin T release after marathons is associated with RV remodeling at prolonged follow-up. Design: Single-center, longitudinal, observational cohort study. Participants/Methods: 152 male German marathon runners, median age 43 ± 3 years, were recruited. All had repeated strenuous training and endurance events over 10 years. Cardiac biomarkers and 3D echocardiography were assessed prerace, immediately after race, on days 1 and 3 after race, and at 10 years. Results: RV ejection fraction (RVEF) declined from 52.4% prerace to 47.6% immediately post-race. At day 1 post-race, t more...