Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Remodeling According to Obesity Class

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Evidence supports the existence of cardiac remodeling in obesity, but no standard diagnostic criteria has been proposed or validated.The objective of this study was to identify echocardiographic features of cardiac remodeling according to obesity class and assess the effect of non-surgical weight loss on cardiac structure and function.A total of 120 patients were divided according to their obesity class (Group 1: BMI 18.5-24.9; Group 2: 25-29.9; Group 3: 30-39.9; Group 4: >40) and underwent cross-sectional transthoracic echocardiography. Echocardiographic parameters of cardiac chamber quantification and function were compared between the 4 groups. Echocardiographic parameters were compared pre- and post-non-surgical weight loss in a subgroup of patients. Overall, there was an incremental increase in left ventricular (LV), left atrial (LA), and right ventricular dimensions, LV mass and LV stroke volume (all p<0.0001) across obesity classes. There was no significant difference in LV ejection fraction or right ventricular systolic function as assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) but a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain (BMI 18.5-24.9: 22.8%±1.7%; BMI 25-29.9: 22.0%±1.4%; BMI 30-39.9: 20.8%±1.1%; BMI >40: 20.6%±1.3%, p<0.0001) and left atrial strain (BMI 18.5-24.9: 37.7%±2.3%; BMI 25-29.9: 32.8%±2.1%; BMI 30-39.9: 31.5%±1.8%; BMI >40: 29.0%±2.8%, p<0.0001). Allometric height-indexed LV and LA dimensions increased with increasing BMI class (p<0.0001). Echocardiographic parameters did not change significantly after non-surgical weight loss.In conclusion, echocardiographic features can be described according to obesity class. Allometric height indexation may better reflect cardiac remodeling in obesity in comparison to BSA indexation. Non-surgical weight loss was not associated with significant changes in cardiac chamber dimensions and function.