Abstract 15755: Adverse Cardiac Remodeling in Obese Children

Background: Obesity (OB) and hypertension (HTN) are risk factors for early cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of OB and HTN on myocardial mechanics in children using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods: Echocardiograms (echo) and ambulatory blood pressure monitors were performed in children referred for HTN from 2009 to 2014. Traditional echo Doppler indices, mass and volume parameters, 24-hr systolic blood pressures (24SBP) and 24-hr diastolic BP indices were obtained. Post-processing was performed on the 2D gray scale images of LV in apical 4-chamber and parasternal short axis mid-papillary views to obtain strain indices (Image Arena, Tomtec). Associations of obesity and BP to the myocardial indices were explored independently using Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: Among 107 patients, 6 - 21 yrs age, 79.4% were males; 42% OB and 53% were hypertensive. Mean Z scores for BMI were 1.5 ± 1.1 and SBP were 1.5 ± 1.2. Mean LV mass (LVM, 2D are...