Research

Uncomplicated obesity is associated with abnormal aortic function assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Monique R Robinson¹ , Michaela Scheuermann-Freestone^1,2 , Paul Leeson^1,4 , Keith M Channon³ , Kieran Clarke² , Stefan Neubauer¹ and Frank Wiesmann¹

¹Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

²Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

³Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

⁴University of Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2008, 10:10doi:10.1186/1532-429X-10-10

Published:	13 February 2008

Abstract

Aims

Obese subjects with insulin resistance and hypertension have abnormal aortic elastic function, which may predispose them to the development of left ventricular dysfunction. We hypothesised that obesity, uncomplicated by other cardiovascular risk factors, is independently associated with aortic function.

Methods and results

We used magnetic resonance imaging to measure aortic compliance, distensibility and stiffness index in 27 obese subjects (BMI 33 kg/m²) without insulin resistance and with normal cholesterol and blood pressure, and 12 controls (BMI 23 kg/m²). Obesity was associated with reduced aortic compliance (0.9 ± 0.1 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 mm²/mmHg in controls, p < 0.02) and distensibility (3.3 ± 0.01 vs. 5.6 ± 0.01 mmHg^-1 × 10^-3, p < 0.02), as well as higher stiffness index (3.4 ± 0.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1, p < 0.02). Body mass index and fat mass were negatively correlated with aortic function. Leptin was higher in obesity (8.9 ± 0.6 vs. 4.7 ± 0.6 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and also correlated with aortic measures. In multiple regression models, fat mass, leptin and body mass index were independent predictors of aortic function.

Conclusion

Aortic elastic function is abnormal in obese subjects without other cardiovascular risk factors. These findings highlight the independent importance of obesity in the development of cardiovascular disease.