LAS VEGAS, NV — In May, the American College of Cardiology published an Expert Analysis on Non-Ischemic Myocardial Fibrosis in Athletes. A local sports cardiologist, Alfred Danielian, MD, FACC, FASE, was featured as the leading author of the analysis providing valuable input relating to athletes and their training.
Non-ischemic myocardial fibrosis is a serious heart condition that can cause heart failure, irregular or abnormal heart rhythms and may even result in death. The disease affects the muscular tissue of the heart causing an accumulation of scar tissue as a result of the disease. If enough scar tissue forms, this accumulation may be detrimental to the heart. Dr. Danielian and the co-authors of the analysis reported the following:
- Prolonged, high-intensity exercise may cause cardiac fibrosis, even in the absence of predisposition to cardiac disease.
- The prognostic significance of myocardial fibrosis in an otherwise healthy athlete remains controversial.
- Findings of focal scar at the right ventricular hinge points in asymptomatic athletes is of uncertain clinical significance.
As a nationally recognized sports cardiologist, Dr. Danielian has an extensive background in evaluating and assessing many different types of athletes from recreational, collegiate, semi-professional, and professional levels. Dr. Danielian is active in the athletic community providing important and up-to-date information for the community through his active role on the American College of Cardiology Sports and Exercise Cardiology Section Leadership Council.