Open AccessPost-mortem evidence of idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy and idiopathic interstitial myocardial fibrosis: is exercise the cause?
Author(s) -
Gregory Whyte,
Mary N. Sheppard,
Keith George,
Rob Shave,
Sanjay K. Prasad,
Rory O’Hanlon,
Sanjay Sharma
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.08.2008.0758
Subject(s) - medicine , ventricle , cardiology , pathological , muscle hypertrophy , myocardial fibrosis , fibrosis , myocardial hypertrophy , left ventricular hypertrophy , blood pressure
We report the case of an experienced, highly trained marathon runner who died suddenly while running. On post-mortem examination, left ventricle hypertrophy and idiopathic interstitial myocardial fibrosis was found. We believe that life-long, repetitive bouts of arduous physical activity resulted in fibrous replacement of the myocardium, causing a pathological substrate for the propagation of fatal arrhythmias.