Epicardial adipose tissue thickness ≥2.4 mm was significantly associated with essential hypertension (OR 1.396; 95% CI 1.033-1.922).
Cross-Sectional (n=127)
Is increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness associated with essential hypertension in asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors?
Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness measured by cardiac CT is significantly associated with essential hypertension and may serve as a cardiometabolic risk indicator.
Effect estimate: OR 1.396 (95% CI 1.033-1.922)
Absolute Event Rate: 2.81% vs 2.07%
p-value: p=0.011
The aim of the study was to determine whether epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT), a new cardiometabolic risk factor, is associated with essential hypertension. The sample included 127 asymptomatic patients with one or more cardiovascular risk factors consecutively referred for cardiac computed tomography angiography. Data were collected retrospectively and compared between hypertensive (n=39) and normotensive (n=88) patients. The hypertensive patients had a significantly higher mean EAT thickness than the normotensive group (2.81±1.6 mm vs 2.07±1.43 mm; P=.011) and a significantly elevated mean coronary artery calcium score (316.8±512.6 vs 108.73±215; P=.0257). The odds ratio for a patient with tissue thickness ≥2.4 mm having hypertension was 1.396 (95% confidence interval, 1.033-1.922). Factors independently associated with hypertension were body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, and age. A model score was developed using the logistic regression coefficients for calculation of individual risk. Hypertensive patients have significantly higher than normal EAT thickness. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness may serve as a risk indicator for hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity.
Dicker et al. (2013) conducted a cross-sectional in Essential hypertension (n=127). Epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT) vs. Normotensive patients was evaluated on Mean epicardial adipose tissue thickness (mm) (OR 1.396, 95% CI 1.033-1.922, p=0.011). Epicardial adipose tissue thickness ≥2.4 mm was significantly associated with essential hypertension (OR 1.396; 95% CI 1.033-1.922).