Management of obesity cardiomyopathy.

Obesity causes a variety of hemodynamic alterations that may lead to changes in cardiac structure and function. Although such abnormalities may occur in patients with mild-to-moderate obesity, they are most pronounced in those with morbid obesity. When these alterations produce congestive heart failure, obesity cardiomyopathy is said to be present. In this review, the authors will first discuss the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of obesity cardiomyopathy and then describe the management of this clinical syndrome with emphasis on the effects of weight reduction.