Key result
Epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography was significantly increased in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to controls (6.5 vs 5.8 mm, p=0.01) and was highest in permanent AF.
Why the study?
Is epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography associated with the presence and chronicity of atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=80)
Is epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography associated with the presence and chronicity of atrial fibrillation?
Absolute Event Rate: 6.5% vs 5.8%
p-value: p=0.01
Echocardiographic measurement of epicardial fat thickness is significantly higher in patients with atrial fibrillation, particularly permanent AF, suggesting a link between local adiposity and AF chronicity.
Hypothesis-generating for epicardial fat as AF marker; prospective studies needed to assess causality and utility.
Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of epicardial fat thickness (EFT) assessed by echocardiography with atrial fibrillation (AF) in a clinical setting. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 58 AF patients who underwent echocardiography and a control group of 22 participants. The EFT thickness was measured on the free wall of the right ventricle from the parasternal long-axis view. The association between EFT and AF was studied by adjusting the risk factors for AF, including structural valvular diseases and multiple risk factors. Results: EFT was significantly increased in patients with AF as compared to participants in the control group (6.5 ± 1.2 mm vs. 5.8 ± 1.0 mm, p=0.01). In subgroup analysis of different types of AF, EFT was significantly increased in permanent AF in relation to paroxysmal and persistent AF (6.8 ± 0.9 mm vs. 6,0 ± 1.2 mm and 5.8±1.2 respectively). In addition, EFT measurements were comparable between sinus rhythm, paroxysmal and persistent AF. Conclusions: Epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography seems to be associated with the chronicity of AF.
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Kurt et al. (2012) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=80). Atrial fibrillation vs. Sinus rhythm (Control) was evaluated on Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) (p=0.01). Epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography was significantly increased in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to controls (6.5 vs 5.8 mm, p=0.01) and was highest in permanent AF.
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