title: Severe obesity and P-wave dispersion: the effect of surgically induced weight loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent data have shown that obesity is an important potential risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). The mechanism of development of AF in obesity patients is still unclear and may be related to atrial refractoriness heterogeneity. The aim of our study was to determine the influence of bariatric surgery with a consequent substantial weight loss on P-wave dispersion in morbidly obese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled in this study 40 severe obese patients, and 40 age-matched non-obese healthy subjects were also recruited as controls. All subjects underwent conventional 12-lead electrocardiography for the analysis of P-wave dispersion. All subjects underwent bariatric surgery and were resubmitted to electrocardiography, biochemical, and anthropometric examination within 12 months after intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Severe obese patients had greater values in P-wave duration and dispersion than the normal weight controls. Bariatric surgery reduced significantly P-wave dispersion. There was a significant correlation between decrease of atrial refractoriness heterogeneity and bariatric-surgery-induced weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In severe obese patients, surgically induced weight loss reduction is associated with significant decreased in P-wave dispersion. The reduction of the atrial refractoriness heterogeneity may be of clinical significance by reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation in morbidly obese subjects.
authors: Cardiology, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy. v.p.russo@libero.it
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Russo
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Ammendola
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: De Crescenzo
authors: Ludovico
authors: L
authors: Docimo
authors: Lucio
authors: L
authors: Santangelo
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Calabrò
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007581:Jejunoileal Bypass; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*