Delayed enhancement of the intraventricular septum following an extraordinary endurance exercise

Cardiac fatigue and elevations in cardiac biomarkers have been described following prolonged exertion in endurance athletes. We comprehensively evaluated a highly trained 46-year-old man attempting a North American transcontinental run in a record time of 45 consecutive days. After running 1460 km and ascending over 2600 m, the run was ended prematurely on day 17 following a leg injury; in support of the event, the subject cycled an additional 1580 km. Echocardiography and biomarker analysis performed pre-event and while running revealed no decrement in systolic function and undetectable levels of troponin I and T. Post-event cardiac MRI demonstrated the interval appearance of delayed enhancement of gadolinium at the inferior insertion of the right ventricle and in the interventricular septum - a novel finding that may represent subtle inflammation secondary to a combined exercise and altitude effect.