The role of cardiac magnetic resonance in sports cardiology: results from a large cohort of athletes

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) provides information on morpho-functional abnormalities and myocardial tissue characterisation. Appropriate indications for CMR in athletes are uncertain. To analyse the CMR performed at our Institute to evaluate variables associated with pathologic findings in a large cohort of athletes presenting with different clinical conditions. All the CMR performed at our Institute in athletes aged > 14 years were recruited. CMR indications were investigated. CMR was categorised as “positive” or “negative” based on the presence of morphological and/or functional abnormalities and/or the presence of late gadolinium enhancement (excluding the right ventricular insertion point), fat infiltration, or oedema. Variables associated with “positive” CMR were explored. A total of 503 CMR were included in the analysis. “Negative” and “positive” CMR were 61