Key result
Abnormal thoracic aortic intima-media thickness is linked to ~37% greater epicardial fat thickness.
Why the study?
The relationship between epicardial fat thickness and early atherosclerosis, as indicated by thoracic aortic intima-media thickness, has not been fully demonstrated.
Is epicardial fat thickness associated with thoracic aortic intima-media thickness in patients without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease?
Cross-Sectional (n=104)
Is epicardial fat thickness associated with thoracic aortic intima-media thickness in patients without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease?
Epicardial fat thickness is independently associated with thoracic aortic intima-media thickness, suggesting it may serve as an early marker for subclinical atherosclerosis.
Should not yet change clinical risk assessment; hypothesis-generating for epicardial fat as subclinical atherosclerosis marker requiring longitudinal studies.
BACKGROUND: Although the relationship between epicardial fat thickness (EFTh) and coronary atherosclerosis is well established, this relation in the early periods of atherosclerosis has not been fully demonstrated. On the other hand, thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (IMT) rather than carotid IMT was reported as an earlier marker of preclinical atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the relationship between thoracic aortic IMT and EFTh in patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination for different indications. METHODS: We included 104 patients (mean age 38±11.4 years), who underwent TEE for various indications. The patients were divided into two groups according to the median thoracic aortic IMT values (IMT normal group<10 mm and IMT abnormal group≥10 mm). EFTh was obtained using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography on the right ventricular free wall during systole and diastole. RESULTS: The highest EFTh values (3.3±0.96 mm vs. 4.51±0.66 mm, P<.001) were observed in the abnormal aortic IMT group. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that aortic IMT was independently correlate with EFTh (β=0.423, P<.001). Moreover, EFTh was found to be associated with history of transient ischemic attack (r=.403, P<.001) and abnormal IMT (r=.643, P<.001) in bivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Epicardial fat thickness is independently related to the extent of subclinical thoracic aortic atherosclerosis. Increase in EFTh may be crucial marker for initial atherosclerosis.
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Acele et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional in No clinical manifestation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (n=104). Abnormal thoracic aortic IMT (≥10 mm) vs. Normal thoracic aortic IMT (<10 mm) was evaluated on Epicardial fat thickness (EFTh) (β=0.423, p=<.001). Abnormal thoracic aortic intima-media thickness (≥10 mm) was associated with significantly higher epicardial fat thickness compared to normal IMT (4.51 vs 3.3 mm, P<0.001).
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