Evaluation of Myocardial Functions Following Bariatric Surgery-Short Term Results

The present pilot study included obese 21 patients (13 females and 8 males; mean age: 33.2 ± 11.0 years) who underwent bariatric surgery between December 2021 and June 2022. Echocardiographic evaluations and brain natriuretic peptide measurements were performed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. All patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy, and myocardial function was assessed using standard 2-dimensional M-mode Doppler echocardiography. The mean body mass index decreased from 44.8 ± 3.2 to 34.2 ± 2.9 kg/m² (P < .001). Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction increased from 62.5% ± 5.0% preoperatively to 64.8% ± 3.5% postoperatively (P = .003). Interventricular septum, posterior wall thickness, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, P max, and isovolumic relaxation time decreased significantly (P < .05). Left ventricular septal E' and left ventricular lateral E' values increased (P = .020 and .002, respectively). Although the mean pro- brain natriuretic peptide level decreased post-operatively, an increase was observed in 10 patients. Bariatric surgery significantly improves myocardial function, even in the absence of preoperative cardiac disease. However, given the short follow-up period, these findings reflect early myocardial changes. Further follow up with larger cohorts are warranted to interpret long-term clinical outcomes.