Changes in Left Ventricular Mechanics After Sleeve Gastrectomy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Bariatric Surgery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Obesity is linked to impaired cardiac function.
• Left ventricle (LV) mechanics can be affected by obesity.
• Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a common bariatric procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate LV mechanics in obese patients before and after SG.
• To assess changes in echocardiographic parameters of LV function.
• To investigate the impact of SG on myocardial strain.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-five obese patients undergoing laparoscopic SG were studied.
• Echocardiography with speckle tracking imaging was performed pre- and post-surgery.
• Key metrics included global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and LV twist.

Main Results:

• 56% of patients had altered GLS preoperatively.
• Post-SG, GLS significantly increased (17.4 to 19.3%, P=0.01).
• No significant changes were observed in GCS, GRS, or LV twist post-SG.

Conclusions:

• Obese patients frequently exhibit altered GLS.
• SG improves GLS in the early postoperative period.
• SG does not affect GCS, GRS, or LV twist.