Myocardial performance in opera singers

Abstract Aims Opera singers are subjected to continuous exercise in the cardiopulmonary district, however the impact on cardiac performance has not been studied in depth. In addition to the standard echo parameters, the deformation one offer the possibility to evaluate more clearly the myocardial performance. Objective was to verify the impact of singing in heart’s performance by the evaluation of traditional and particularly deformation parameters as strain, rotation, and twist. Methods and results A population of 17 OS (opera singers, aged 50 ± 5 years) (M/F: 7/9; 5 sopranos; 2 tenors; 2 contraltos; 2 basses) have been submitted to an echocardiographic evaluation (MLX8exp Release F100001) by standard 2D and deformation parameters (Figure 1). The data expressed as mean as SD were compared to an high level athletes (A) group (M 16) regularly trained. T-Student test for paired data was used and P < 0.05 was considered significant. All the 2D standard systo-diastolic parameters were within the normal range and the pulmonary pressure (PP) as well in both. In SO group were: LVDd: 47.31 ± 3.77 mm; LVSd: 30.48 ± 4.42 mm; E/A: 1.07 ± 0.32; RV: 27.63 ± 4.50 mm; in A group: LVDd: 50.81 ± 2.97 mm; LVSd: 31.44 ± 4.26 mm; E/A: 2.68 ± 1.67; RV: 27.63 ± 4.50 mm. As expected Cardiac mass index (CMI) was significantly greater in athletes, while the ejection fraction (EF) resulted to be higher in OS. Despite the deformation parameters were not different among the two groups, with the exclusion of GLS expressing a major value in athletes, on the contrary the rotational parameters resulted, in OS group similar to the athletes and in agreement with an high performance status. Conclusions OS show an high myocardial performance as athletes. The data obtained are suggestive for a positive impact of regular training as an opera singers. Deformation parameters highlight the fitness status in this particular group. Classic music singing seems to have a training effect on the heart. Further studies will be necessary to confirm this hypothesis