Higher hemoglobin levels are associated with impaired left ventricular global strains in metabolic syndrome: a 3.0 T
Xue Li1, Shi-Qin Yu1, Zhi-Gang Yang1
1Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37# Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Insights
Higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels are linked to worse left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. Managing elevated Hb may help preserve cardiac function, especially in those with obesity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases cardiovascular risk and mortality.
- Elevated hemoglobin (Hb) levels are associated with MetS, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and adverse outcomes.
- Understanding the Hb-MetS-LV dysfunction link is crucial for cardiovascular risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Hb levels and LV global strains in patients with MetS.
- To determine if Hb levels impact LV function in individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 254 MetS patients and 78 controls.
- Stratification of MetS patients into five Hb level groups.
- Assessment of LV global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strains using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking.
- Statistical analysis including multiple linear regression, restricted cubic spline, and subgroup analyses.
Main Results:
- Higher Hb levels were significantly associated with reduced LV global strains (radial, circumferential, longitudinal) in MetS patients.
- An inverted L-shaped association was observed, with significant LV strain reduction above 143 g/L Hb.
- These associations were more pronounced in MetS patients with obesity.
Conclusions:
- Elevated Hb levels are independently associated with impaired LV function in MetS patients.
- Obesity exacerbates the negative impact of higher Hb levels on cardiac function in MetS.
- Monitoring and managing higher Hb levels in MetS patients may be a strategy to prevent cardiac dysfunction progression.
Background:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a known contributor to increased cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality. Recent literatures suggested that higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels were associated with Mets, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and adverse events in general population. This study aimed to assess the associations between Hb levels and LV global strains in patients with MetS.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis included 254 patients with MetS and 78 sex-, age-, and Hb-matched controls. The MetS patients were stratified into five groups based on Hb levels: anemia, low-normal Hb, moderate-normal Hb, high-normal Hb, and high Hb. LV global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strains (LVGRS, LVGCS, and LVGLS, respectively) were measured using the cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking technique. Associations between Hb levels and LV global strains were evaluated using multiple linear regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS), and subgroup analyses.
Results:
After full adjustment, the LV global strains from three directions in the high Hb groups (LVGRS: β = - 4.943, 95% CI - 7.673 to - 2.213; LVGCS: β = - 2.341, 95% CI - 3.608 to - 1.074; LVGLS: β = -2.797, 95% CI - 4.049 to - 1.546, all p < 0.05) were significantly reduced than those in their respective moderate-normal Hb groups. Full adjusted RCS plots revealed inverted L-shaped associations between Hb levels and LV global strains, with significant reductions observed above 143 g/L (all p for nonlinearity < 0.05). Subgroup analyses indicated that the associations were more pronounced in MetS patients with obesity (LVGRS: β = - 0.005 [95% CI - 0.087 to 0.097] versus -0.087 [95% CI - 0.145 to - 0.030]; LVGCS: β = -0.006 [95% CI - 0.045 to 0.034] versus -0.048 [95% CI - 0.075 to - 0.021]; LVGLS: β = -0.011 [95% CI - 0.053 to 0.032] versus -0.063 [95% CI - 0.089 to - 0.036] for non-obese and obese patients; all p for interaction < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Higher Hb levels are significantly associated with more severe LV dysfunction in MetS patients, particularly in those with obesity. Targeted monitoring and management of higher Hb levels in MetS patients may help mitigate further deterioration of cardiac function.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:27Oxygen Transport in the Blood
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...