Right ventricle in athletes

Abstract

The right ventricle plays a crucial role in cardiovascular function in athletes. However, compared to the left ventricle, it often remains neglected. Despite that, arrhytmogenic cardiomyopathy, which affects predominantly the right ventricle, is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity in European athletes. Detection of the right ventricular disease and its differential diagnosis in athletic heart remains difficult. Physiological adaptation to exercise induces significant changes including chamber dilation. Specific criteria are needed to discern between pathology and physiological adaptation. The aim of this review is to summarize the hallmark features of physiological adaptation of the right ventricle in athletes. It especially emphasises the role of electrocardiography and imaging methods. Differential diagnosis of especially arrhytmogenic cardiomyopathy and physiologic right heart adaptation in athletes is discussed.