Effect of Obesity on Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Functions Based on Echocardiographic Indices

Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions are known prognosticators for cardiovascular morbidity. One of the significant risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is obesity. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of obesity on the systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle on the basis of echocardiographic indices.

75 obese and 75 averagely built subjects were studied. They had no other comorbidities. The indices of echocardiography of systolic and diastolic function were taken and assessed using recent recommendations from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the American Society of Echocardiography.

The volume indices of systolic and diastolic function (ejection diastolic volume (EDV) and ejection systolic volume (ESV)) and iso-volumetric relaxation time (IVRT) showed a significant increase in obese subjects (p<0.05); however, the relative thickness of the wall and internal diameter were comparable to non-obese subjects. The indices of contractility like ejection fraction, early diastolic filling velocity and late diastolic filling velocity (E/A) ratio, and mitral annular velocity were significantly lower in the obese subjects as compared to non-obese subjects. It was also found that left atrial diameter in systole and diastole had a moderate association (r=0.48, P<0.0001; r=0.35, P<0.0005) while mitral inflow E/A ratio had a negative association with body mass index (BMI) (r=-0.26, P=0.0166).

Volumetric changes and ejection are significantly altered by increased BMI. More comprehensive studies in the future are recommended to assess the same.