title: Dyssynchrony in obese subjects without a history of cardiac disease using velocity vector imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of intra-left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony in obese versus nonobese subjects without known cardiac disease using Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ninety consecutive subjects with no known cardiac disease had their echocardiograms analyzed using VVI after excluding subjects with QRS durations>120 msec or LV ejection fractions<55%. Study subjects were divided into two groups on the basis of body mass index: obese (>30 kg/m2) and nonobese (<30 kg/m2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final cohort included 136 subjects (74 obese; 32% women; mean age, 55±16 years). The occurrence of intra-LV dyssynchrony was higher in the obese group compared with the nonobese group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was an increased prevalence of intra-LV dyssynchrony in obese subjects, especially longitudinal and radial dyssynchrony. This dyssynchrony may signal a mechanism by which obesity predisposes to the development of heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Einstein Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, Albert Einstein Medical Center and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141, USA.
authors.forename: Bhaskar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Purushottam
authors.forename: Anoop C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Parameswaran
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Figueredo
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology