title: Evaluation of the effects of obesity on heart functions using standard echocardiography and pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate abnormalities in right and left ventricular function in older obese patients with no left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: Cardiology Department, Private Erdem Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. huseyinsurucu@yahoo.com.tr
authors: Hüseyin
authors: H
authors: Sürücü
authors: Ersan
authors: E
authors: Tatli
authors: Selnur
authors: S
authors: Okudan
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Değirmenci
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D012016:Reference Values; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000150:complications; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D016276:Ventricular Function