Abstract 14721: Association of Non-Surgical Weight Loss With Speckle-Tracking Strain Parameters

Abstract

Introduction Several studies have demonstrated that surgical weight loss improves myocardial mechanics as measured by speckle-tracking imaging. The studies, however, have mostly been conducted in morbidly obese Caucasian populations with an average body mass index (BMI) of around 40 kg/m2. To our knowledge, no study has examined whether non-surgical weight loss can improve myocardial mechanics in the less morbidly obese. Hypothesis We hypothesized that non-surgical weight loss would improve strain parameters in less morbidly obese patients. Methods 66 patients were recruited. Participants underwent a 16-week lifestyle intervention (LSI) programme. LSI consisted of a) dietary interventions involving regular consultations with the dietician and meal planning and b) exercise prescription with pedometers Echocardiography with speckle tracking was performed at baseline and post-intervention. Paired analysis using paired T-test evaluating changes in weight and strain parameters were conducted after intervention. Results The primary outcome was improvement in strain parameters after weight loss. Table 1 depicts the characteristics of the participants and the change in strain parameters. Participants attained significant weight loss after LSI ( 28.2 +/- 2.66 kg/m 2 vs 25.8 +/- 2.84 kg/m 2 , p =0.001). There was a significant reduction in waist and hip circumference (90.7 +/- 7.64 cm vs 83.62 +/- 7.13 cm, p =0.01) and (103.28 +/- 2.03 cm vs 97.74 +/- 6.24 cm, p=0.01) respectively. However this was not associated with improvement in strain parameters of the left atrium (51.456 +/- 11.24 vs 48.78 +/- 19.09, p =0.190) , left ventricle (-22.05 +/- 2.98 vs 22.77 +/- 3.21, p= 0.125) and right ventricle (-21.56 +/- 3.32 vs -22.02 +/- 3.59, p = 0.404). Conclusion Non-surgical weight loss was not associated with an improvement in echocardiographic speckle-tracking strain parameters.