Effect of weight loss on ventricular repolarization in normotensive severely obese patients with and without heart failure.

Background: Obesity has been reported to be associated with delayed ventricular repolarization. The purpose of this study was to assess ventricular repolarization in normotensive severely obese subjects with and without heart failure (HF) and to assess the effect of weight loss on ventricular repolarization in such patients.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with and 39 patients without HF (body mass index ≥ 40 kg/m(2)) were studied before and after weight loss from bariatric surgery.

Effect of weight loss after bariatric surgery on left ventricular mass and ventricular repolarization in normotensive morbidly obese patients.

To assess the effect of weight loss on ventricular repolarization in morbidly obese patients, 39 normotensive subjects whose baseline body mass indexes were ≥40 kg/m(2) before weight loss from bariatric surgery were studied. All patients were free of underlying organic heart disease, heart failure, and conditions that might affect ventricular repolarization. Twelve-lead electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were performed just before surgery and at the nadir of postoperative weight loss.

Relation of left ventricular mass to QTc in normotensive severely obese patients.

Prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) has been described in obese subjects. This study assesses the relation of left ventricular (LV) mass to QTc in normotensive severely obese subjects. Fifty normotensive patients whose BMI was ≥40 kg/m(2) (mean age: 38 ± 7 years) were studied.

Can paronychia cause a remote necrotizing soft tissue infection?

Remote necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI) resulting from paronychia is very unusual but potentially lethal. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman affected by this unusual infection. The paronychia completely resolved in less than 2 weeks, however, a NSTI involved the right chest and flank and the left thigh.

The treatment of obesity.

Obesity is a chronic problem requiring lifelong treatment. Obesity assessment involves measurement of the body mass index, waist circumference, and the identification of other risk factors. Management should include diet and exercise.