Key result
New systematic review protocol examines epicardial fat volume associations with cardiac structure and function.
Why the study?
Studies linking epicardial fat to adverse cardiac structure, function, and cardiovascular outcomes have yielded inconsistent results, potentially due to limited power, varying imaging modalities, and different outcome definitions.
Is increased epicardial fat volume associated with adverse cardiac structure and function and cardiovascular outcomes in adult patients?
Systematic Review
Is increased epicardial fat volume associated with adverse cardiac structure and function and cardiovascular outcomes in adult patients?
This protocol outlines a planned systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association of epicardial fat volume with cardiac structure, function, and cardiovascular outcomes.
No results yet from epicardial fat review protocol; leaves open its association with cardiac structure, function, and outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Epicardial fat represents visceral adiposity. Many observational studies have reported that increased epicardial is associated with adverse metabolic profile, cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with cardiovascular diseases and in general population. We and others have previously reported the association of increased epicardial fat with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction as well as the development of heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease in these populations. In some studies, however, the association did not reach statistical significance. The inconsistent results may be due to limited power, different imaging modalities for quantifying epicardial fat volume, and different outcome definitions. Accordingly, we aim to perform the systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the association of epicardial fat with cardiac structure and function and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis will include observational studies examining the association of epicardial fat with cardiac structure and function or the cardiovascular outcomes. Relevant studies will be identified by searching electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus and by manual screening of reference lists of relevant reviews and retrieved studies. The primary outcome will be cardiac structure and function. The secondary outcome will be cardiovascular events including death from cardiovascular causes, hospitalization for HF, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and unstable angina. DISCUSSION: The results of our systematic review and meta-analysis will provide evidence regarding the clinical usefulness of epicardial fat assessment. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: INPLASY 202280109.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fukuta et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review in Cardiovascular diseases and general population. Epicardial fat volume was evaluated on Cardiac structure and function. Epicardial fat volume association with cardiac structure, function, and cardiovascular outcomes is the focus of this systematic review and meta-analysis protocol, which currently reports no results.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: