Weight loss reverses heart changes in obese teens (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Severely obese adolescents whoundergo weight-loss surgery show substantial improvementssubsequently in the size and functioning of their hearts, newfindings indicate.

In fact, reversal of heart abnormalities appears to be morelikely in teenagers than in similar adults, Dr. Holly M.Ippisch and her associates report in the Journal of theAmerican College of Cardiology.

"This might be an argument for earlier intervention atyounger ages in severely obese young people," the investigatorssuggest.

Ippisch's team reviewed the outcomes of 38 patients aged 13to 19 years who underwent gastric bypass surgery at CincinnatiChildren's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio. Their weight priorto surgery averaged 175 kg or about 385 pounds, and the averagebody mass index (BMI) was 60.

Within the following year, average weight dropped to 116 kg(255 pounds) and the average BMI fell to 40.

Although most patients were still over their ideal bodyweight, the group's average heart rate and blood pressuredeclined, probably reflecting the reduced workload placed onthe heart.

Being severely overweight leads eventually to enlargementof the heart, especially the left ventricle, the main pumpingchamber. Before surgery, only 36 percent of the group had anormal-size left ventricle; after surgery, this rose to 79percent.

Ultrasound also showed sizable reductions in the thicknessof the walls of the heart, something that has not been observedin adult gastric-bypass patients, the investigators say.

Despite these promising results in teens, the teamconcludes that long-term follow-up is required to see if theimprovements persist, and whether they translate into long-termreduction in the odds of developing heart disease as adults.

SOURCE: Journal of the American College of Cardiology,April 8, 2008.