Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Remodeling According to Obesity Class

Evidence supports the existence of cardiac remodeling in obesity; however, no standard diagnostic criteria has been proposed or validated. This study aimed to identify echocardiographic features of cardiac remodeling according to obesity class and assess the effect of nonsurgical weight loss on cardiac structure and function. A total of 120 patients were divided according to their obesity class (group 1: body mass index [BMI] 18.5 to 24.9, group 2: 25 to 29.9, group 3: 30 to 39.9, and group 4: >40) and underwent cross-sectional transthoracic echocardiography. Echocardiographic parameters of cardiac chamber quantification and function were compared among the 4 groups. Echocardiographic parameters were compared before and after nonsurgical 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 (LVM), and LV stroke volume (all p <0.0001) across the obesity classes. There was no significant difference in LV ejection fraction or right ventricular systolic function, as assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; however, there was a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain (BMI 18.5 to 24.9: 22.8 ± 1.7%, BMI 25 to 29.9: 22.0 ± 1.4%, BMI 30 to 39.9: 20.8 ± 1.1%, BMI >40: 20.6 ± 1.3%, p <0.0001) and LA strain (BMI 18.5 to 24.9: 37.7 ± 2.3%, BMI 25 to 29.9: 32.8 ± 2.1%, BMI 30 to 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 nonsurgical weight loss. In conclusion, echocardiographic features can be described according to obesity class. Allometric height indexation may better reflect cardiac remodeling in obesity than body surface area indexation. Nonsurgical weight loss was not associated with significant changes in cardiac chamber dimensions and function.