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The following is a summary of “Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Remodeling According to Obesity Class,” published in the November 2024 issue of Cardiology by Prajapati et al.    

Obesity is linked to cardiac structural and functional changes. Still, standardized criteria for diagnosing obesity-related cardiac remodeling are lacking, with variations in remodeling patterns across obesity classes and after non-surgical weight loss.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess echocardiographic features of cardiac remodeling by obesity class and explore the impact of non-surgical weight loss on cardiac structure and function.  

They evaluated 120 patients divided into 4 groups according to body mass index (BMI) categories (Group 1: 18.5-24.9; Group 2: 25-29.9; Group 3: 30-39.9; Group 4: >40) using transthoracic echocardiography to analyze cardiac chamber size, function, and dimensions. Echocardiographic measures were assessed pre-and post-non-surgical weight loss in a patient subgroup.  

The results showed an incremental rise in left ventricular (LV), left atrial (LA), and right ventricular dimensions, as well as LV mass and stroke volume (all P<0.0001) across BMI classes, LV ejection fraction and right ventricular systolic function, measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), showed no significant changes. Global longitudinal strain decreased significantly (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), as did LA 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). Height-indexed LV and LA dimensions rose with increasing BMI (P<0.0001). Non-surgical weight loss did not significantly affect echocardiographic parameters.  

They concluded that echocardiographic features varied by obesity class, with height indexation better reflecting cardiac remodeling and non-surgical weight loss having no impact on heart size or function.  

Source: ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(24)00785-9/abstract