The relationship between bioelectrical impedance parameters and pulmonary artery stiffness in obese subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a public health problem that needs to be treated and it occurs as a result of excessive fat accumulation in the body. The relationship between obesity and pulmonary hypertension is well known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary artery stiffness, right ventricular functions and bioelectrical impedance parameters in obese, overweight, and healthy individuals. METHODS: In this study, 41 obese (17 female and 24 male, mean age 43.5±10.3), 39 overweight (20 female and 19 male, mean age 38.6±10.4), 34 healthy control group (19 female and 15 male, mean age 40.5±8.6) were included. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance parameters of all participants were performed. Right ventricular functions and pulmonary artery stiffness were evaluated by using conventional echocardiography. RESULTS: Right ventricle myocardial performance index, pulmonary artery stiffness values were statistically different between groups. Positive correlation was observed between pulmonary artery stiffness and Body Mass Index, Waist and Hip circumferences. Significant negative correlation was observed between muscle to fat ratio and pulmonary artery stiffness. In the linear regression analysis, it was observed that the muscle to fat ratio was independent predictor of pulmonary artery stiffness (ß = -1.835; 95%CI(-2.434 - - .784); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that right ventricular function was impaired and pulmonary artery stiffness increased in obese individuals. These findings could be considered as early markers of pulmonary hypertension in obese patients who do not yet have clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease.

Incidence and clinical presentation of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is due to many risk factors, but its pathogenesis is still not clearly understood. To identify the risk factors for PVT, we analyzed the clinical characteristics and complications associated with PVT in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: We studied patients with liver cirrhosis who were admitted to our unit from April 2009 to December 2014. The patients were divided into the PVT and non-PVT groups, and were compared by variables including gender, age, the etiology of cirrhosis, stage of cirrhosis, complications, imaging, and treatment. RESULTS: PVT was found in 45 (9.8%) of 461 cirrhotic patients admitted to our hospital. Most patients (45.9%) had hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis, with a similar distribution of etiologies between the groups. However, there was no positive relationship between PVT and etiologies of cirrhosis. Most patients (71.5%) were in the stage of hepatic decompensation. No statistically significant differences were found in complications including esophageal varices, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy between the groups. However, there was a significant positive correlation between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and PVT (P<0.01). In 30 patients with PVT, thrombosis occurred in the portal vein and/or portal branches, 37.8% were diagnosed on ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PVT was 9.8%, mainly in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis. The development of PVT was associated with the severity of liver disease and HCC.