Higher epicardial adipose tissue index was associated with a 30% higher frequency of coronary microvascular dysfunction (OR 1.30), with the effect being more pronounced in patients over 65 years of age.
Observational (n=399)
No
Does increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness correlate with the presence of coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography?
Epicardial adipose tissue thickness measured by echocardiography is independently associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction, particularly in older patients, suggesting a role for local inflammation in CMD pathogenesis.
Odds Ratio: 1.3 (95% CI 1.001–1.69)
p-value: p=0.049
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a common disorder, leading to symptoms similar to obstructive coronary artery disease and bears important prognostic implications. Local inflammation is suggested to promote development of CMD. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a local visceral fat depot surrounding the heart and the coronary arteries, modifying the inflammatory environment of the heart. We compared EAT in patients with and without CMD. METHODS: We retrospectively included consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography as well as transthoracic echocardiography between March and October 2016. EAT thickness was defined as space between the epicardial wall of the myocardium and the visceral layer of the pericardium and EAT index was calculated as EAT thickness/body surface area. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of EAT index with the presence of CMD. RESULTS: Overall, 399 patients (mean age 60.2 ± 14.0 years, 46% male) were included. EAT thickness was significantly higher in patients with CMD compared to patients without CMD (EAT thickness 4.4 ± 1.8 vs. 4.9 ± 2.4 mm, p = 0,048 for patients without and with CMD, respectively). In univariate regression analysis, EAT index was associated with a 30% higher frequency of CMD (odds ratio 95% confidence interval: 1.30 1.001-1.69, p = 0.049). Effect sizes remained stable upon adjustment for body mass index (BMI, 1.30 1.003-1.70, p = 0.048), but were attenuated when ancillary adjusting for age and gender (1.17 0.90-1.54, p = 0.25). The effect was more pronounced in patients >65 years of age and independent of BMI and sex (1.85 [1.14-3.00, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: EAT thickness is independently associated with CMD and can differentiate between patients with and without CMD especially in older age groups. Our results support the hypothesis that modulation of local inflammation by epicardial fat is involved in the development of CMD.
Mahmoud et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Coronary microvascular dysfunction (n=399). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) index vs. Lower EAT index was evaluated on Presence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.001-1.69, p=0.049). Higher epicardial adipose tissue index was associated with a 30% higher frequency of coronary microvascular dysfunction (OR 1.30), with the effect being more pronounced in patients over 65 years of age.