Physiological Stress Elicits Impaired Left Ventricular Function in Preterm-Born Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Experimental and clinical studies show that prematurity leads to altered left ventricular (LV) structure and function with preserved resting LV ejection fraction (EF). Large-scale epidemiological data now links prematurity to increased early heart failure risk.

Objectives

The authors performed echocardiographic imaging at prescribed exercise intensities to determine whether preterm-born adults have impaired LV functional response to physical exercise.

Methods

We recruited 101 normotensive young adults born preterm (n = 47; mean gestational age 32.8 ± 3.2 weeks) and term (n = 54) for detailed cardiovascular phenotyping. Full clinical resting and exercise stress echocardiograms were performed, with apical 4-chamber views collected while exercising at 40%, 60%

SUBMITTER: Huckstep OJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5864965 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature