Cardiac | Imaging the unusual: Adult congenital heart disease (cont.)
Tracks
Rm 9 | Virtual
Cardiac
National Keynote
| Friday, May 29, 2026 |
| 4:00 PM - 4:50 PM |
| Rm 9 | First Floor |
Speaker
Ms Julie Collis
Senior Researcher - Echocardiography
University Of Western Australia
Cardiac structure and function in ultramarathon swimmers
4:00 PM - 4:10 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Introduction: Exercise-induced cardiac remodelling (EICR) is a physiological adaptation to chronic exercise but can overlap with pathological phenotypes. Ultramarathon swimming presents a unique physiological stimulus; however, cardiac adaptation in this cohort remains unexplored. This study aimed to describe cardiac structure and function in ultramarathon swimmers, comparing findings with contemporary clinical reference ranges.
Methods: Ninety-one marathon-trained swimmers (age 39±12 years; 52% female) underwent comprehensive 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography including left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) morphology, diastolic function, biventricular systolic function, and myocardial global longitudinal strain (GLS). Measures were compared to age- and sex- adjusted reference ranges.
Results: Normal LV geometry was observed in 54% of swimmers. LV hypertrophy was present in 26% (21% eccentric, 5% concentric), while concentric remodelling was identified in 20%. Indexed LV end-diastolic volumes exceeded reference values in 58% of swimmers, decreasing to 45% following age-adjustment, and to 7% when assessed using 3D LV volumes. RV dimensions exceeded clinical thresholds in 16% of swimmers. Systolic function was below reference values in 4% by RV GLS, and 11% by LV GLS; however, all participants were within references ranges when assessed using 3D LV GLS.
Conclusion: Ultramarathon swimmers demonstrate cardiac adaptation beyond standard reference ranges. Application of age- and sex-matched normative data and detailed 3D assessment confirms preserved cardiac function and aids in differentiating physiological adaptation and pathology.
Take home message: EICR is prevalent in ultramarathon swimmers, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between physiologic adaptation from pre-clinical pathology to avoid misclassification.
Methods: Ninety-one marathon-trained swimmers (age 39±12 years; 52% female) underwent comprehensive 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography including left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) morphology, diastolic function, biventricular systolic function, and myocardial global longitudinal strain (GLS). Measures were compared to age- and sex- adjusted reference ranges.
Results: Normal LV geometry was observed in 54% of swimmers. LV hypertrophy was present in 26% (21% eccentric, 5% concentric), while concentric remodelling was identified in 20%. Indexed LV end-diastolic volumes exceeded reference values in 58% of swimmers, decreasing to 45% following age-adjustment, and to 7% when assessed using 3D LV volumes. RV dimensions exceeded clinical thresholds in 16% of swimmers. Systolic function was below reference values in 4% by RV GLS, and 11% by LV GLS; however, all participants were within references ranges when assessed using 3D LV GLS.
Conclusion: Ultramarathon swimmers demonstrate cardiac adaptation beyond standard reference ranges. Application of age- and sex-matched normative data and detailed 3D assessment confirms preserved cardiac function and aids in differentiating physiological adaptation and pathology.
Take home message: EICR is prevalent in ultramarathon swimmers, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between physiologic adaptation from pre-clinical pathology to avoid misclassification.
Biography
Ms Julie Collis |
University Of Western Australia
Julie Collis is an echocardiographer with over more than 20 years experience across major teaching hospitals, private practice, research, and industry as a clinical applications specialist (cardiac). She is currently the Senior Researcher in Echocardiography at the School of Human Sciences (Sport and Exercise Science) at the University of Western Australia, where her work focuses on cardiac adaptations to exercise. Julie is currently enrolled in a PhD investigating the mechanisms of swimming induced pulmonary oedema (SIPE), examining how cardiac structure, function, and haemodynamic responses contribute to this condition.
Julie holds a Master of Science and a Diploma of Medical Ultrasound (Cardiac).
Mr Justin Gordon
Director Paediatric Cardiac Sciences
Queensland Children's Hospital
Congenital curiosities: A case of mistaken identity
4:10 PM - 4:30 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Congenital heart disease can be full of surprises, and echocardiography often provides the first glimpse into these cardiac curiosities. "A Case of Mistaken Identity" explores a spectrum of congenital heart anomalies encountered on echocardiography, using real clinical cases to uncover the subtle imaging clues that can reveal clinically significant anomalies hiding in plain sight. This presentation offers a visual and practical journey through difficult echocardiographic findings, highlighting key imaging techniques, interpretive strategies, and common pitfalls to help clinicians recognise and correctly identify these remarkable congenital variations.
Biography
Mr Justin Gordon |
Qld Childrens Hospital
Justin Gordon is the Director of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane.
After completing his Masters of Clinical Physiology from Griffith University, he worked for several years in the United Kingdom where he held Cardiac Physiologist positions at the Royal Brompton Hospital, The Heart Hospital and within paediatric cardiology at the Evelina Children’s Hospital, London
His interests and current role include the performance of and provision of education in paediatric, congenital and interventional transoesophageal echocardiography.
Ms Cathy West
Cardiac Sonographer
Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
Imaging congenital defects
4:30 PM - 4:50 PMPresentation Synopsis / Abstract
Whilst Ebstein's Anomaly is diagnosed based on the displacement of the tricuspid valve, the condition is more complex and can present differently at the various stages of life. In this presentation we'll cover the anatomy in detail, show some examples of the anatomical variants and discuss how to image these adult patients proficiently.
Biography
Ms Cathy West |
Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
Cathy is a cardiac sonographer accredited in adult and congenital echocardiography with international experience in the clinical, education and management aspects of the field. She has served on Boards of Directors for professional societies in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States and is passionate about delivering high quality echo services.
