Heart failure & cardiomyopathies
Severe biventricular cardiomyopathy in both current and former long-term users of anabolic–androgenic steroids
Authors' conclusion
Long-term AAS users showed severely biventricular cardiomyopathy. The reduced systolic function was also found upon discontinued use.
Study context
- Population
- Weightlifters, current and former long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users and non-using controls
- Participants
- 101 vs 71
- Exposure
- Long-term AAS users vs non-using weightlifting controls
- AAS usersn = 101
- Weightlifting controls (WLC)n = 71reference
- Outcome
- Cardiovascular effects (echocardiography) of long-term AAS use; occurrence of severely reduced myocardial function
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
| Group | LV mass index | Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) | RV global longitudinal strain | SBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAS users | 106 ± 26 g/m² | 49 ±7% | −17.3 ± 3.5% | 141 ± 17 mmHg |
| WLC | 80 ± 15 g/m² | 59 ± 5% | −22.8 ± 2.0% | 133 ± 11 mmHg |
LV mass index
AAS users106 ± 26 g/m²
WLC80 ± 15 g/m²
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
AAS users49 ±7%
WLC59 ± 5%
RV global longitudinal strain
AAS users−17.3 ± 3.5%
WLC−22.8 ± 2.0%
SBP
AAS users141 ± 17 mmHg
WLC133 ± 11 mmHg
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Severely reduced myocardial function (LVEF ≤40%), current vs former users · not significant (NS)
- Severely reduced myocardial function (LVEF ≤40%), current vs former users — left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LVEF pathological in current and former users vs WLC
- P < 0.05
Estimated lifetime AAS dose (current users)
- Correlated with reduced LVEF and LVGLS
- P < 0.05
- Not correlated with LVMI
- P = 0.12
Determinant of reduced LVEF (regression, total population)
- History of AAS use strongest determinant, not strength training or hypertension
- β −0.53, P < 0.001
Original publication
Severe biventricular cardiomyopathy in both current and former long-term users of anabolic–androgenic steroids. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 22 November 2023. doi:10.
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