Part I: Cardiopulmonary consequences of morbid obesity

Markedly obese patients represent a unique subset of the population. The condition of obesity is related to physiological derangements of the cardiovascular system, deleterious effects of the mechanical and gas exchange function of the lung, severe biochemical derangements in the liver, and changes in normal endocrine functions. Therapy for and research efforts in obesity require a thorough understanding of the definition, measurement, and classification of obesity. The ability to assess pertinent physiological and biochemical alternations is a prerequisite for studying and caring for these patients. A subsequent review will address the biochemical derangements of morbid obesity. The present communication will focus on the physiologic derangements of the cardiopulmonary system unique to marked obesity.