Evaluation of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in overweight people with 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography

Obesity is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and is a major predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality. This global burden affects myocardial function by inducing structural and functional alterations. Although subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is known in obese subjects, there is not sufficient information about overweight people. The aim of the present study was to evaluate subclinical LV dysfunction in overweight people with three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE).

One hundred eighteen consecutive patients between 18 and 80 years old were enrolled into the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): normal (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) (n=35), overweight (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2) (n=43), and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) (n=40). 3D-STE was performed, and global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and global area strain (GAS) were measured. 3D-STE results were compared between the groups.

The mean age of the patients was 60.97+-8.94 years, and 55.1% of the patient population were male. Mean GCS was -13.5, GLS was -11.9, GRS was 32.3, and GAS was -22. As BMI increased, GCS and all other strain parameters were significantly worse [p<0.001 (normal-overweight), p<0.001 (normal-obese), and p<0.001 (overweight-obese) for GCS, GLS, GRS, and GAS]. A positive linear correlation was observed between BMI and all measured strain parameters (r=0.673, p<0.001 for BMI and GCS).

3D-STE is a non-invasive parameter to detect subclinical LV dysfunction, and global strain values are significantly correlated with BMI. Subclinical LV dysfunction was detected in overweight people in addition to obese subjects.