Evaluation of the effects of obesity on heart functions using standard echocardiography and pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate abnormalities in right and left ventricular function in older obese patients with no left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.

Design: Subjects with normal coronary angiography were included in this study. They were divided into two groups according to their body mass index (BMI): Group I = BMI > or = 27, and group II BMI = < 27. Standard echocardiography and pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (PW-TDI) parameters were performed in all subjects.

Results: The obese patients had tachycardia (P = 0.017) and hypertension (P = 0.020). In the obese patients, there was evidence of altered LV geometry; an increase in the posterior wall thickness (P = 0.001), and larger aortic valve diameter (P = 0.007).

Conclusions: In obese patients of older ages, there is evidence of left and right ventricular dysfunction.