Evaluation of right heart functions by echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography in obese and non-obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study was to compare the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in obese and non-obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography.
 Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with 69 patients, 34 obese and 35 non-obese, diagnosed moderate or severe OSAS by an overnight polysomnographic sleep study. In all patients, LV (left ventricle) and RV (right ventricle) size, left atial (LA) and RA (right atrial) dimensions, LV and RV systolic and diastolic functions and systolic PAPs were measured by M-mode, two-dimensional analysis, color flow Doppler and TDI.
 Results: RV diastolic dysfunction was detected in both groups; this impairment was significantly higher in the obese group (lateral tricuspid late diastolic myocardial annular zone velocity A'a: 0.13 ± 0.03 in non-obese patients and 0.11 ± 0.04 in obese patients). The mean systolic PAP was significantly higher in obese patients (31.2±5.6, 27.1±5.8, respectively)
 Conclusion: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In our study,left ventricul and right ventricul diastolic dysfunction was determined by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with moderate and severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Obesity contributes to this impairment regardless of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome .