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Massive Cardiomegaly (>1000 g Heart) and Obesity

William C Roberts1, Omar S Khan1

  • 1Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Institute, Dallas, Texas; Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) and Pathology, Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas, Texas.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|December 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Obesity is a newly recognized cause of massive cardiomegaly, a condition where the heart is significantly enlarged. This study identified obesity in 7 out of 9 patients with hearts over 1000g.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Massive cardiomegaly (heart weight >1000g) is typically associated with valvular heart disease.
  • Previous causes of massive cardiomegaly have not included obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the underlying causes of massive cardiomegaly in patients without valvular heart disease.
  • To identify novel contributors to extreme heart enlargement.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical and morphological findings in 9 necropsy cases with hearts weighing >1000g.
  • Exclusion of patients with valvular heart disease.
  • Review of patient histories and pathological data.

Main Results:

  • Obesity was identified as the common finding in 7 of the 9 patients.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was present in 2 patients.
  • None of the patients had valvular heart disease.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity should be recognized as a significant cause of massive cardiomegaly.
  • This finding expands the known etiology of extreme cardiac enlargement.
  • Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking obesity to cardiomegaly.

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