Obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To perform an overall assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) adults with central obesity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We enrolled HFpEF patients with central obesity (n =73, mean age 52.4 ± 6.3 years) and without obesity (n =70, mean age 51.9 ± 7.1 years) and compared with an age-matched healthy subjects who had not suffered from HF (n = 69, mean age 52.3 ± 7.5 years). Physical examination, routine laboratory tests such as fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA) index, serum lipids, haemoglobin, creatinine, ALT, AST, uric acide, hs CRP, TSH, N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and standard transthoracic echocardiogram (2D and Doppler) examinations were performed and assessed.

RESULTS: Results: The average values of diastolic blood pressure (DBP), glucose and lipid profiles, uric acide, hs CRP were found to be significantly higher among obese patients with HFpEF than non-obese. Despite more severe symptoms and signs of HF, obese patients with HFpEF had lower NT-proBNP values than non-obese patients with HFpEF (129±36.8 pg/ml, 134±32.5 pg/ml vs 131±30.4 pg/ml, 139±33.8 pg/ml respectively; p < 0.05). However, it was found that patients with high central (visceral) adiposity have more pronounced obesity-related LV diastolic dysfunction, lower E/e' ratio, lower mitral annular lateral e' velocity, an increased LV diastolic dimension and LV mass index. Compared with non-obese HFpEF and control subjects, obese patients displayed greater right ventricular dilatation (base, 35±3.13 mm, 36±4.7 mm vs 33±2.8 mm, 34±3.2 mm and 29±5.3 mm, 30±3.9 mm; length, 74±5 mm, 76±8 mm vs 67±4 mm, 69±6 mm and 60±3 mm, 61±5 mm respectively; p < 0.05), more right ventricular dysfunction (TAPSE 16±2 mm, 15±3 mm vs 17±2 mm, 17±1 mm and 19±2 mm, 20±3 mm respectively; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Obese patients with HFpEF have higher diastolic BP, atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance index values and greater systemic inflammatory biomarkers, despite lower NT-proBNP values, which increase the risk of cardiovascular events in future. Echocardiography examination revealed not only significant LV diastolic dysfunction, but also displayed greater RV dilatation and dysfunction.