A case of cardiomyopathy in an obese patient provides the opportunity
for reviewing the specific features of this condition. The disease mai
nly affects the left ventricle, causing excentric hypertrophy, then di
astolic dysfunction, and finally systolic dysfunction. Involvement of
the right ventricle should lead to investigations for pulmonary hypert
ension, which is often the consequence of sleep apnea syndrome. Patien
ts with severe obesity should be investigated by echocardiography in e
very case and by sleep studies if appropriate. Management rests on wei
ght loss.