Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Assessing Intracardiac Vortices with High Frame-Rate Echocardiography-Derived Blood Speckle Imaging in Newborns
Published on: December 22, 2023
Dyssynchrony in obese subjects without a history of cardiac disease using velocity vector imaging
Bhaskar Purushottam1, Anoop C Parameswaran, Vincent M Figueredo
1Einstein Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, Albert Einstein Medical Center and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141, USA.
Insights
Obesity is linked to increased intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony, a condition where heart chambers contract unevenly. This finding suggests a potential mechanism connecting obesity to heart failure development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Obesity Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Cardiac function can be affected by metabolic conditions.
- Intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony is a potential indicator of cardiac disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony in obese versus nonobese individuals.
- To utilize Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI) for assessing cardiac mechanics.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiograms from 190 subjects without known cardiac disease were analyzed using VVI.
- Subjects were categorized as obese (>30 kg/m2) or nonobese (<30 kg/m2) based on BMI.
- Exclusion criteria included QRS duration >120 msec or LV ejection fraction <55%.
Main Results:
- The study included 136 subjects (74 obese, 32% women, mean age 55±16 years).
- Intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony was observed more frequently in the obese group compared to the nonobese group.
Conclusions:
- Obese individuals exhibit a higher prevalence of intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony, particularly affecting longitudinal and radial mechanics.
- This cardiac dyssynchrony may represent a key mechanism through which obesity contributes to the development of heart failure.
Background:
The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony in obese versus nonobese subjects without known cardiac disease using Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI).
Methods:
One hundred ninety consecutive subjects with no known cardiac disease had their echocardiograms analyzed using VVI after excluding subjects with QRS durations>120 msec or LV ejection fractions<55%. Study subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of body mass index: obese (>30 kg/m2) and nonobese (<30 kg/m2).
Results:
The final cohort included 136 subjects (74 obese; 32% women; mean age, 55±16 years). The occurrence of intra-LV dyssynchrony was higher in the obese group compared with the nonobese group.
Conclusions:
There was an increased prevalence of intra-LV dyssynchrony in obese subjects, especially longitudinal and radial dyssynchrony. This dyssynchrony may signal a mechanism by which obesity predisposes to the development of heart failure.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI