BACKGROUND: The importance of right ventricular (RV) function in both health and disease is increasingly recognized, and the 'athletic heart' is of particular interest, in light of recent observations of disproportionate RV remodeling in endurance athletes. RV afterload can be assessed by calculating the pulmonary vascular resistive and pulsatile components, resistance (Rp) and compliance (Cp) respectively. The relationship between Rp and Cp are also affected by the pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). It has been suggested that pulmonary artery (PA) pressures increase approximately linearly with cardiac output as exercise intensity increases. However, directly-measured pulmonary hemodynamic data to support this hypothesis are sparse. Accordingly, our objective was to directly measure the response of PA hemodynamics to submaximal exercise in endurance-trained athletes.
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