Assessment of epicardial adipose tissue thickness as a novel cardiac risk factor in type 2 diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study

Background The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is gradually growing with its negative impact on public health. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), as a visceral fat, is a source of many adipokines affecting the cardiovascular system. The goal of this investigation was to assess the EAT thickness as a cardiac risk factor in type 2 diabetics compared to nondiabetics along with its possible association with left ventricular diastolic function. A total of 100 subjects have been included in this investigation (50 subjects with type 2 diabetes and 50 controls). EAT thickness has been determined utilizing a transthoracic echocardiogram in the parasternal short and long axis views in front of the right ventricle-free wall at end-diastole along with an assessment of left ventricular diastolic function. Results The investigation demonstrated that type 2 diabetic cases have a statistically significant greater EAT thickness than nondiabetic controls ( P value < 0.001). EAT thickness was significantly correlated with the duration of T2DM and diastolic dysfunction even in the absence of cardiovascular history. Conclusion EAT thickness is higher among diabetic patients and is significantly related to the diabetes duration. Increased EAT thickness is related to diastolic dysfunction among diabetic than non-diabetic patients.