Cardiac cycle timing and contractility following acute sport-related concussion

ABSTRACT

Cardiac sequelae following sport-related concussion are not well understood. This study describes changes in the cardiac cycle timing intervals and contractility parameters during the acute phase of concussion. Twelve athletes (21 ± 2 years, height = 182 ± 9 cm, mass = 86 ± 15 kg, BMI = 26 ± 3 kg/m²) were assessed within 5 days of sustaining a diagnosed concussion against their own pre-season baseline. A non-invasive cardiac sensor (LLA Recordis^TM) was used to record the cardiac cycle parameters of the heart for 1 minute during supine rest. Cardiac cycle timing intervals (Isovolumic relaxation and contraction time, Mitral valve open to E wave, Rapid ejection period, Atrial systole to mitral valve closure, Systole, and Diastole) and contractile forces (Twist force and Atrial systole: AS) were compared. Systolic time significantly decreased during acute concussion (p = 0.034). Magnitude of AS significantly increased during acute concussion (p = 0.013). These results imply that concussion can result in altered systolic function.

KEYWORDS:

• Cardiac contractility
• athletes
• mechanical function
• systole
• screening
• sport-related concussion

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all participants who volunteered in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

We would like to thank LLA Technologies Inc. and Mitacs Inc. for supporting this research through the Mitacs Accelerate Program (MITACS ACCELERATE IT25895). The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication.