Impact of a mountain ultra-marathon (UTMB) on cardiac biomarkers

peer reviewedOBJECTIVES: While moderate exercise has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, consequences of a supraphysiological effort are not clear yet. In particular, the physiological consequences of ultramarathons need to be further documented. The aim of the study was to assess the changes of various cardiac biomarkers after a mountain ultramarathon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood and urine samples were collected on 28 runners (17 men) participating to the UltraTrail du Mont Blanc (105 km, total positive elevation: 5600 m) at 3 different times: before the race (Pre), within 1 h after the finish (Post) and 7 days after the finish (D+7). Several biomarkers involved in heart disease (coronary syndrome, heart failure and fibrosis) and in inflammation were assayed on different analyzers such a COBAS® (for CKMB,TnThs, NTproBNP, HFABP and CRPs) and KRYPTOR® (for Copeptin). ST2 was measured manually with the Presage kit from CRITICAL DIAGNOSTIC®. RESULTS: Plasma levels of cardiac markers (CKMB, TnThs, NTproBNP, copeptin, HFABP, ST2) and inflammation (CRPs) increased significantly at Post. Means values increased from Pre to Post as follows: 2.3 to 91.9 UI/L for CKMB (p<0.0001); 7.6 to 31.7 ng/L for TnThs (p<0.0001); 41.7 to 1190.5 ng/L for NTproBNP, 4.2 to 22.9 pmol/L for copeptin (p=0.001); 3.6 to 107.8 ng/mL for HFABP (p<0.0001), 29.7 to 126.2 ng/mL for ST2 (p<0.0001); 0.5 to 29.1 mg/L for CRPs (p