teassa

• Fyksen, Tea Sætereng; Gravning, Jørgen; Rossebø, Anne Bjørhovde; Vanberg, Paul; Grøtta, Ole Jørgen & Atar, Dan [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2025). Cardiac structure and function in anabolic-androgenic steroid users: a 16-year follow-up study. Open heart. 12(2). doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2025-003376. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Background and aim Long-term data on cardiac changes in anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users are lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of AAS on cardiac structure and function during long-term follow-up. Methods In this prospective cohort study, AAS users and strength-trained non-users were included and examined at two time points with echocardiography and coronary CT angiography. AAS use and non-use were verified by blood and urine analyses. Results A cohort of 32 AAS users (median age 33 years) and 13 non-users (median age 34 years) were followed for a median of 16 (IQR, 15–17) and 13 (7–15) years, respectively. At baseline, AAS users had been taking AAS for a median of 5–10 years. At follow-up, 15 had discontinued AAS, while 17 remained continued users. At baseline, AAS users presented with larger left ventricular mass (LVM) (266 g (213–319) vs 215 g (196–217), p<0.01), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (49% (44–53) vs 53% (51–56), p=0.05), compared with non-users. At follow-up, LVM in discontinued users was reduced and similar to the non-users, while continued users still had larger LVM. LVEF remained significantly impaired in continued users versus non-users (p<0.01). In discontinued users, LVEF seemed to improve over time. The median change in LVEF over time differed significantly between continued and discontinued AAS users (−2 (−6 to 2) vs 3 (1 to 8), p<0.01). Despite higher cardiac troponin T levels in AAS users, coronary artery disease prevalence did not differ between groups. Conclusion Long-term AAS use was associated with myocardial remodelling and left ventricular dysfunction. In AAS users who discontinued use during follow-up, left ventricular remodelling and systolic function seemed to improve, even after more than a decade of AAS use.

• Fyksen, Tea Sætereng; Seljeflot, Ingebjørg; Vanberg, Paul; Atar, Dan & Halvorsen, Sigrun (2024). Platelet activity, coagulation, and fibrinolysis in long-term users of anabolic-androgenic steroids compared to strength-trained athletes. Thrombosis Research. ISSN 0049-3848. 238, s. 60–66. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.04.027. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Introduction Use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) effects, including potential prothrombotic effects. This study aimed to assess platelet activation and aggregation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis, in long-term AAS users compared to non-using strength-trained athletes. Materials and methods Thirty-seven strength-trained men using AAS were compared to seventeen non-using professional strength-trained athletes at similar age (median 33 years). AAS use was verified by blood and urine analyses. Platelet Function Analyzer 100 (PFA-100) and whole blood impedance aggregometry with thrombin, arachidonic acid, and ADP as agonists, were performed to evaluate platelet aggregation. ELISA methods were used for markers of platelet activation. Fibrinogen, D-dimer, the coagulation inhibitors protein S and C activity, and antithrombin were measured by routine. Fibrinolysis was evaluated by Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity. Results There were no significant differences in platelet aggregation between the two groups. Von Willebrand factor was lower among the AAS users (p < 0.01), and P-Selectin was slightly higher (p = 0.05), whereas CD40 Ligand, β-thromboglobulin, and thrombospondin did not differ significantly. No differences were found in the assessed coagulation inhibitors. Higher D-dimer levels (p < 0.01) and lower PAI-1 activity (p < 0.01) were found among the AAS users. Conclusions The investigated long-term users of AAS did not exhibit elevated platelet activity compared to strength-trained non-using athletes. However, AAS use was associated with higher D-dimer levels and lower PAI-1 activity. These findings suggest that any prothrombotic effect of long-term AAS use may predominantly involve other aspects of the hemostatic system than blood platelets.

• Fyksen, Tea Sætereng; Vanberg, Paul; Gjesdal, Knut Tjøl; Lueder, Thomas Gero von; Bjørnerheim, Reidar & Steine, Kjetil [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2022). Cardiovascular phenotype of long-term anabolic-androgenic steroid abusers compared with strength-trained athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 32(8), s. 1170–1181. doi: 10.1111/sms.14172. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Introduction Abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has been linked to a variety of different cardiovascular (CV) side effects, but still the clinical effects of AAS abuse on CV risk are not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the CV phenotype of a large cohort of men with long-term AAS use compared with strength-trained athletes without AAS use. Methods Fifty one strength-trained men with ≥3 years of AAS use was compared with twenty one strength-trained competing athletes. We verified substance abuse and non-abuse by blood and urine analyses. The participants underwent comprehensive CV evaluation including laboratory analyses, 12-lead ECG with measurement of QT dispersion, exercise ECG, 24 h ECG with analyses of heart rate variability, signal averaged ECG, basic transthoracic echocardiography, and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Results Hemoglobin levels and hematocrit were higher among the AAS users compared with non-users (16.8 vs. 15.0 g/dl, and 0.50% vs. 0.44%, respectively, both p < 0.01) and HDL cholesterol significantly lower (0.69 vs. 1.25 mmol/L, p < 0.01). Maximal exercise capacity was 270 and 280 W in the AAS and the non-user group, respectively (p = 0.04). Echocardiography showed thicker intraventricular septum and left ventricular (LV) posterior wall among AAS users (p < 0.01 for both), while LV ejection fraction was lower (50 vs. 54%, p = 0.02). Seven AAS users (17%) had evidence of coronary artery disease on CCTA. There were no differences in ECG measures between the groups. Conclusions A divergent CV phenotype dominated by increased CV risk, accelerated coronary artery disease, and concentric myocardial hypertrophy was revealed among the AAS users.

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• Fyksen, Tea Sætereng (2026). Cardiovascular effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids. A cohort study with long-term follow-up. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 9788234807749. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Long-term use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has been associated with adverse cardiac outcomes. The aim of this work was to investigate cardiovascular effects of prolonged AAS use in strength-trained men, compared with non-using strength-trained athletes, during extended follow-up. Particular focus was placed on cardiac structure and function, hemostatic balance, and coronary artery disease. Prolonged AAS use was associated with increased left ventricular wall thickness and impaired cardiac function. No evidence of increased platelet activation or aggregation was observed; however, findings were consistent with enhanced fibrinolytic activity, suggesting an altered hemostatic balance in AAS users. At follow-up, structural and functional cardiac changes persisted among AAS users, but were less pronounced in individuals who had discontinued use compared with those who continued. AAS users had adverse lipid alterations and increased blood viscosity, potentially leading to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the extent of coronary calcification did not differ between the groups. Overall, the findings indicate that long-term AAS use is associated with persistent, but potentially partially reversible, cardiovascular alterations. This highlights the clinical relevance of health risks associated with prolonged AAS exposure.

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