Epicardial adipose tissue is a robust measure of increased risk of myocardial infarction – a meta-analysis on over 6600 patients and rationale for the EPIC-ACS study

Background:Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) surrounds the heart and the coronary vessels. EAT produces pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Several studies have already documented the association of EAT and cardiovascular risk factors as well as coronary artery disease manifestations. Currently computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard for measurement of 3-dimensional volume of EAT. In addition, echocardiography might be an easy accessible alternative in particular in an emergency setting.Methods:We performed a metaanalysis of existing studies describing the differences of EAT in patients with and without myocardial infarction. We used established databases and were searching for “epicardial adipose tissue” or “pericardial adipose tissue” and “myocardial infarction”, “coronary events”, or “acute coronary syndrome”. We included over 6600 patients from 7 studies. Random effect models were calculated and all analyses were performed by using the Review Manager 5.3.Results:Patients with myocardial infarction had 37% (confidence interval [0.21-0.54], P value <.001)] higher measures of EAT compared to patients without myocardial infarction. Comparing studies using echocardiography vs CT for assessment of EAT thickness, similar relative differences in EAT with wide overlap of confidence intervals were observed (for echocardiography: 0.4 [0.04-0.76], for CT: 0.36 [0.16-0.57], P value <.001 for both).Conclusions:Patients with myocardial infarction have more EAT as compared to patients without myocardial infarction independently of the used imaging modality. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate, how quantification of EAT in clinical routine can improve patients management.     

Validation of the echocardiographic assessment of epicardial adipose tissue thickness at the Rindfleisch fold for the prediction of coronary artery disease

Background and AimEchocardiography is a promising technique for the assessment of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). Increased EAT thickness is associated with different cardiac diseases, including; coronary artery disease (CAD). Since several different echocardiographic approaches have been proposed to measure EAT, the identification of a standardized method is needed. We propose the assessment of EAT maximal thickness at the Rindfleisch fold, the reproducibility of this measurement and its correlation with EAT thickness and volume assessed at cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Finally, we will test the predictive role of this measurement on the presence of significant CAD.Methods and ResultsIn 1061 patients undergoing echocardiography, EAT thickness was measured at the level of the Rindfleisch fold. In 70 patients, we tested the relationship between echo-EAT thickness and EAT thickness and volume assessed at CMR. In 499 patients with suspected CAD, undergoing coronary artery angiography, we tested the predictive value of EAT on the presence of significant CAD.Echo-EAT thickness measurements had an excellent reliability as indicated by the inter-observer (ICC:0.97; 95% C.I. 0.96 to 0.98) and intra-observer (ICC:0.99; 95% C.I. 0.98 to 0.99) reliability rates. Echo-EAT thickness significantly correlated with CMR-EAT thickness and volume (p < 0.001). An EAT thickness value >10 mm discriminated patients with significant CAD at coronary angiography (p < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, including demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors, EAT thickness was an independent predictor of significant CAD and showed an additive predictive value over common atherosclerotic risk factors.ConclusionsEchocardiographic assessment of EAT thickness at the level of the Rindfleisch fold represents a simple and trustworthy method. An increased EAT thickness shows an additive predictive value on CAD over common atherosclerotic risk factors, thus suggesting its potential clinical use for CAD risk stratification.     

Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume in type 2 diabetes mellitus and association with metabolic syndrome and severity of coronary atherosclerosis

Objective Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a part of visceral fat deposited around the heart between the pericardium and myocardium along the distribution of coronary arteries. EAT thickness is reported to be associated with coronary atherosclerosis; however, no study has measured EAT volume in patients with type 2 diabetes or investigate its association with coronary artery disease. Design A hospital‐based case control study. Patients A total of 49 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 78 nondiabetic controls were studied. Measurements Cardiac multislice computed tomography was used to measure EAT volume, Gensini score, coronary artery calcium score and, coronary lesions. The relationships between EAT volume, markers of coronary atherosclerosis and anthropometric and biochemical parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were investigated. Results EAT volume was significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in nondiabetic subjects (166·1 ± 60·6 cm³ vs. 123·4 ± 41·8 cm³, P < 0·0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed independent and significant associations between EAT and diabetic status. EAT volume was significantly associated with components of MetS (BMI, waist circumference, fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol, HDL‐cholesterol, and triglycerides levels), Gensini score, coronary lesions, coronary disease and coronary calcium scores. Univariate, multivariate and trend analyses confirmed that EAT volume was associated with MetS component clustering and the coronary atherosclerosis index. Conclusions The analytical results indicate that EAT volume is increased in T2DM patients and is associated with unfavourable components of MetS and coronary atherosclerosis. The close anatomical relationship between EAT and the coronary arteries, combined with other evidence indicating that EAT is a biologically active adipokine‐secreting tissue, suggest that EAT participates in the pathogenesis of diabetic coronary atherosclerosis.     

Predicting mortality and no‐reflow in STEMI patients using epicardial adipose tissue

BackgroundAcute myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It occurs when irreversible myocardial cell damage or death occurs. ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the most serious presentation of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. STEMI results from the occlusion of a major coronary artery. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion strategy. It should be performed by an experienced team within the shortest time possible from the first medical contact.HypothesisIncreased mortality risk and no‐reflow in STEMI patients with epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT) more than 5 mm compared to STEMI patients with EAT less than 5 mm.MethodsThis study was conducted on 113 patients who presented to the cardiology department of Ain Shams university hospital with the first STEMI and underwent primary PCI. Medical treatment for STEMI was given to all subjects as per the guidelines. All patients underwent an echocardiographic evaluation of epicardial adipose tissue and left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients were divided into two groups using epicardial adipose tissue thickness of 5 mm as a cutoff point; this number was derived from the ROC curve. Group I: Included patients with EAT thickness less than 5 mm, including 44 patients (38.9%). Group II: Included patients with EAT thickness greater than 5 mm, including 69 patients (61.1%).ResultsThe current study showed that epicardial fat thickness significantly correlated with the no‐reflow phenomenon in the cath lab and overall prognosis in patients with STEMI.ConclusionIncreased EAT thickness may be an independent predictor of the no‐reflow phenomenon and mortality. Therefore, our study emphasizes that EAT thickness measured by echocardiography may provide additional and substantial information on the risk of no‐reflow and mortality in STEMI patients.     

Association of epicardial adipose tissues with obstructive sleep apnea and its severity: A meta-analysis study

Background and aimsObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a global disease that is a manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a special type of visceral adipose tissue, has been proposed to be an independent predictor of visceral adiposity. Both OSA and EAT have a close association with diabetes and coronary artery disease. Whether EAT thickness is associated with OSA is controversial.Methods and resultsSeveral databases were searched from their inception to October 13, 2019. We estimated the summarized weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for EAT thickness in the OSA and non-OSA groups. Then, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between EAT thickness and OSA. The relationship between EAT thickness and OSA severity was also assessed. Nine studies with a total of 1178 participants were included. Globally, patients with OSA had a higher EAT thickness than patients without OSA (WMD = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.73–1.16, P < 0.001). Compared to the non-OSA patients, those with mild, moderate, and severe OSA had a progressively higher EAT thickness (WMD = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41–0.83; WMD = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.50–1.15; and WMD = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.70–1.43, respectively; all P < 0.001).ConclusionEAT thickness was shown to be higher in patients with OSA than in patients with non-OSA measured by echocardiography. The increase in the EAT thickness was associated with OSA severity.     

Influence of EPICardial adipose tissue in HEART diseases (EPICHEART) study: Protocol for a translational study in coronary atherosclerosis

IntroductionAccumulation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and increased risk of coronary events in asymptomatic subjects and low-risk patients, suggesting that EAT promotes atherosclerosis in its early stage. Recent studies have shown that the presence of CAD affects the properties of adjacent EAT, leading to dynamic changes in the molecular players involved in the interplay between EAT and the coronary arteries over the history of the disease. The role of EAT in late-stage CAD has not been investigated.ObjectivesIn a comparative analysis with mediastinal and subcutaneous adipose tissue, we aim to investigate whether the volume of EAT assessed by computed tomography and its proteome assessed by SWATH-MS mass spectrometry are associated with late stages of CAD in an elderly cohort of severe aortic stenosis patients.MethodsThe EPICHEART study (NCT03280433) is a prospective study enrolling patients with severe degenerative aortic stenosis referred for elective aortic valve replacement, whose protocol includes preoperative clinical, nutritional, echocardiographic, cardiac computed tomography and invasive coronary angiographic assessments. During cardiac surgery, samples of EAT and mediastinal and subcutaneous thoracic adipose tissue are collected for proteomics analysis by SWATH-MS. In addition, pericardial fluid and peripheral and coronary sinus blood samples are collected to identify circulating and local adipose tissue-derived biomarkers of CAD.ConclusionWe designed a translational study to explore the association of EAT quantity and quality with advanced CAD. We expect to identify new biochemical factors and biomarkers in the crosstalk between EAT and the coronary arteries that are involved in the pathogenesis of late coronary atherosclerosis, especially coronary calcification, which might be translated into new therapeutic targets and imaging tools by biomedical engineering.     

2型糖尿病心外膜脂肪:冠心病新的防治靶点

异位脂肪的过量堆积是2型糖尿病（T2DM)发生冠心病的高危因素。心外膜脂肪（EAT）是紧邻心肌和冠状动脉的一种异位脂肪。在T2DM患者体内，EAT的容积和功能学发生变化，通过分泌脂肪因子、炎症因子和游离脂肪酸等，促进冠状动脉的内皮及平滑肌发生胰岛素抵抗、损伤和炎症反应，并引起心肌的损伤，进而加快冠心病的发生及发展，增加心肌缺血和斑块破裂等冠心病事件的发生。现有证据表明EAT可能是T2DM合并冠心病的治疗靶点，本文将对这一领域的研究进展进行总结及展望。     

Expression of fat mobilizing genes in human epicardial adipose tissue

BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) mass correlates with Metabolic Syndrome and coronary artery disease (CAD). However, little is known about the expression of genes involved in triglyceride (TG) storage and mobilization in EAT. We therefore analyzed the expression of genes involved in fat mobilization in EAT in comparison to subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (AAT) in CAD patients and in controls.MethodsEAT and AAT were obtained during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery from 16 CAD patients and from 14 non-CAD patients presenting for valve surgery. The state of atherosclerosis was assessed by angiography. RNA from tissues were extracted, reversibly transcribed and quantified by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The following genes were analyzed: perilipin-1 and -5 (PLIN1, PLIN5), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), comparative gene identification-58 (CIG-58), angiopoietin like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), in addition to interleukine-6 (IL-6), leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADPN).ResultsA significant expression of all listed genes could be observed in EAT. The relative expression pattern of the 10 genes in EAT was comparable to the expression in AAT, yet there was a significantly higher overall expression in AAT. The expression of the listed genes was not different between CAD patients and controls.ConclusionIt is suggested that the postulated difference in EAT volume between CAD patients and non-CAD patients is not caused by a differential mRNA expression of fat mobilizing genes. Further work on protein levels and enzyme activities will be necessary to get a complete picture.     

Relationship between long non-coding RNA polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:Previous epidemiological studies displayed that long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, while the results are inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to more accurately determine the association between LncRNA polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease.Methods:PubMed, EmBase and Web of Science databases were searched, and the time to build the database was set until December 2020. The association between LncRNA polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease was collected and evaluated. Meta-analysis was performed by STATA 14.0 software, and the odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were applied to estimate the association between LncRNA polymorphism and the risk of coronary artery disease.Results:The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.Conclusion:This meta-analysis will summarize the relationship between LncRNA polymorphism and coronary disease risk.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. This review would be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentations.OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER:DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/9XPHS.     

Tejido graso epicárdico,calcificación arterial coronaria y mortalidad en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada y hemodiálisis

Introduction and objectivesEpicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue (EAT, MAT) are linked to metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have thicker EAT. We assessed if EAT and MAT could be associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with advanced CKD and haemodialysis therapy.MethodsA post-hoc study was performed. We analyzed a prospective series of 104 cases. EAT thickness was quantified by a multislice synchronized computed tomography (MSCT).ResultsThe follow-up period was 112.68 (109.94 -115.42) months. The optimal cut-off point of EAT for prediction of total mortality was 11.45 mm (92.86% and 43.75%). EAT thickness was associated with serum albumin levels, serum triglyceride levels, phosphorus and calcium phosphate product. The EAT was greater in haemodialysis patients compared to those with advanced CKD (P<.001). Patients with diabetes mellitus had greater EAT and MAT thickness (P=.018). At the end of follow up, the survival average time of patients with EAT thickness <11.45 mm was 97.48 months vs. 76.65 months for thickness > 11.45 mm (P=.007).ConclusionsA higher EAT and MAT thickness was associated with increased mortality. Furthermore, EAT was associated with lower free survival time to fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. The measurement of EAT and MAT by MSCT could be a prognostic tool to predict cardiovascular events and mortality risk in advanced CKD patients.     

Prognostic value of coronary artery calcium and epicardial adipose tissue assessed by non-contrast cardiac computed tomography

Objective

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) accumulation is believed to be associated with development of coronary atherosclerosis. We investigated whether EAT volume as assessed by computed tomography (CT) has value in prediction of future cardiac events.

Methods

We studied 722 patients without proven coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent non-contrast cardiac CT. EAT volume and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score were measured simultaneously. Patients were followed as to the occurrence of coronary events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring hospitalization, and late coronary revascularization ≥3 months after CT examination).

Results

During a 3.7 ± 1.7 years follow-up period, 37 coronary events were documented. Annual event rates increased across CAC score categories (0.3%, 1.0%, 2.4%, and 4.3%, in 0, 1–99, 100–399, and ≥400, respectively, p < 0.001); these were significantly higher in the higher EAT volume group (>median; 107.2 mL, 0.7% vs., 2.1%, adjusted hazard ratio; 2.65, p = 0.0090). Cox-proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that a combination of CAC score ≥ 100 and high EAT volume had a significantly higher event rate than CAC score < 100 and low EAT volume group (adjusted hazard ratio 11.6, p < 0.0001). Using Cox regression models, incremental prognostic values were identified by adding high EAT volume to clinical risks plus CAC score ≥ 100 (global χ², 6.7; p = 0.059).

Conclusion

We suggest that high EAT volume may be an independent predictor of future coronary events and increases predictive values of CAC score in patients without proven CAD.     

正常体型老年人心外膜及冠状动脉周围脂肪组织与冠心病的相关性

目的探讨正常体型老年人心外膜及冠状动脉周同脂肪组织与年轻人的差别,以及这些脂肪组织与冠状动脉粥样硬化的相关性。方法60例同时行冠脉CT及冠状动脉造影的体型正常的老年患者及16例冠脉CT正常的中青年对照者,其中老年组按病变程度分为老年正常冠脉组（9例）．老年冠状动脉粥样硬化组（22例）和老年冠心病组（29例）。冠脉CT测定心外膜脂肪容积和厚度,并计算左主干-前降支、回旋支、右冠状动脉周嗣脂肪组纵。结果在冠脉正常者人群中,老年人心外膜脂肪容积较中青年增加[（211,99±12．02）cm3 vs（15066±29,71）cm3,P〈0．001];老年组左主干-前降支和有冠状动脉周围脂肪较中青年组增加[（8．93±1．10）cm3 vs（7．35±1．80）cm3,P=0．026]和[（11．28±1．64）cm3 vs（10．06±0．69）cm3,P=0．015],回旋支周同脂肪有增加趋势,老年冠心病组患者心外膜脂肪厚度较正常冠脉组增加[（3．98±1．07）mm vs（3．32±0．47）mm,P=0．03],两组之间心外膜脂肪容积的差异无统计学意义[（240．46±53．45）cm3 vs（211．98±12．02）cm3,P=0．094];老年冠心病组左主干-前降支周同脂胁组织较正常冠脉组和轻度动脉粥样硬化组增加[（11．26±1．84）cm3〉（9．86±1．41）cm3〉（8．93±1．10）cm3,P〈0．01和P=0．003];老年冠心病组有冠状动脉周围脂肪组织较正常冠脉组增加,差异有统计。学意义[（14．14±2．69）cm3 vsS（11．28±1．64）cm3,P=0．003）。结论老年人心外膜脂肪容积以及左主干-前降史和右冠周闻脂肪组织容量均较中青年人增加,老年冠心病患者心外膜脂肪厚度以及左主干-前降支和右冠周围脂肪组织容苗较老年正常冠脉者增加更显著。     

Increased volume of epicardial fat is an independent risk factor for accelerated progression of sub-clinical coronary atherosclerosis

BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a metabolically active visceral fat depot surrounding the heart, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) through possible paracrine interaction with the coronary arteries. We examined the association of EAT with metabolic syndrome and the prevalence and progression of coronary artery calcium (CAC) burden.MethodsCAC scan was performed in 333 asymptomatic diabetic patients without prior history of CAD (median age 54 years, 62% males), followed by a repeat scan after 2.7 ± 0.3 years. CAC progression was defined as >2.5 mm³ increase in square root transformed volumetric CAC scores. EAT and intra-thoracic fat volumes were quantified using a dedicated software (QFAT), and were examined in relation to the metabolic syndrome, baseline CAC scores and CAC progression.ResultsBoth epicardial and intra-thoracic fat were associated with metabolic syndrome after adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors, but the association was attenuated after additional adjustment for body mass index. EAT, but not intra-thoracic fat, showed significant association with baseline CAC scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.22, p = 0.04) and CAC progression (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.19, p < 0.001) after adjustment for conventional measures of obesity and risk factors.ConclusionEAT volume measured on non-contrast CT is an independent marker for the presence and severity of coronary calcium burden and also identifies individuals at increased risk of CAC progression. EAT quantification may thus add to the prognostic value of CAC imaging.     

Peri-coronary epicardial adipose tissue is related to cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcification in post-menopausal women.

AIMS: To determine whether peri-coronary epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with vascular risk factors and coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 573 healthy post-menopausal women underwent a cardiac CT scan to assess coronary calcification. Peri-coronary EAT thickness was measured in the areas of right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending (LAD) artery, and left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery. Average EAT thickness was 16.5 +/- 4.3 mm (range 5.9-34.6) in the RCA area, 6.4 +/- 2.2 mm (range 2.0-14.0) in the LAD area, and 10.8 +/- 3.0 mm (range 2.8-29.1) in the LCX area. Overall average thickness was 11.2 +/- 2.2 mm (range 5.4-19.1). EAT was positively related to age (P = 0.002). In age-adjusted linear regression models, EAT was positively related to weight (P< 0.001), waist circumference (P< 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (P< 0.001), body mass index (P< 0.001), glucose (P< 0.001), triglycerides (P = 0.001), use of anti-hypertensive drugs (P = 0.007), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.034), and inversely to HDL cholesterol (P = 0.005). In multivariable models, age, weight, waist circumference, smoking, and glucose were the main determinants of EAT. EAT showed a graded relation with coronary calcification (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: EAT is strongly related to vascular risk factors and coronary calcification. Our findings support the hypothesis that EAT affects coronary atherosclerosis and possibly coronary risk.     

心外膜脂肪体积与冠状动脉粥样硬化及左心室舒张功能的相关性研究

目的:通过双源64排CT对心外膜脂肪(EAT)进行三维立体重建,并测量其体积,探讨与冠心病发生、病变程度、斑块类型及早期心功能变化的关系。方法:临床疑诊冠心病(CAD)患者131例为研究对象,男性93例,女性38例,平均年龄(56±10)岁,收集所有病例一般临床资料,静脉取血行血脂、血常规及肝肾功能检查。超声心动图明确左心功能情况。所有患者均行冠状动脉64排双源CT血管成像检查,评价冠状动脉内斑块类型及稳定性,应用Vitrea FX(Vital Images)工作站的cardiac fat软件对EAT进行三维重建并测量其体积;根据冠状动脉造影结果确诊冠心病,并评价冠状动脉病变血管支数、病变部位及管腔狭窄程度。结果:冠心病组(n=63)EAT体积明显大于非冠心病组(n=68,P=0.003);冠状动脉3支病变者EAT体积,较1支及2支病变者明显增多(P<0.05);冠状动脉单纯低密度斑块者EAT体积较无斑块和单纯钙化者明显增大(P<0.001)。Pearson相关分析显示:EAT体积与腰围成正相关(r=0.475,P<0.001),与BMI成正相关(r=0.386,P<0.001)。Logistic回归分析显示EAT体积是冠心病的独立危险因素(OR=1.018,95%CI 1.004～1.033,P=0.011)。2组中左心室舒张功能减低者EAT体积均明显增加(P<0.05),EAT体积与左心室舒张末期内径明显正相关(r=0.331,P<0.001),与室间隔厚度正相关(r=0.195,P=0.031)。结论:EAT含量的增多与冠心病的发生、冠状动脉病变支数及易损斑块的形成密切相关,参与了左心室舒张功能的损伤过程,可能是冠心病新的危险因素,将可能是评价心血管疾病风险增加的新的无创指标,及潜在的治疗靶点。     

Metformin monotherapy significantly decreases epicardial adipose tissue thickness in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients

IntroductionImbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines secreted from visceral adipose tissue (VAT) contributes to the pathogenesis of certain cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a form of VAT mainly concentrated along the coronary arteries. It has been shown in various studies that EAT thickness is positively correlated with cardiovascular disease. Due to its high worldwide prevalence, prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a major public health challenge. Metformin, the most widely prescribed drug to treat T2D, has favorable effects on VAT and body weight. As metformin decreases VAT mass, in this prospective study we analyzed the possible positive effect of metformin on EAT mass, which is organ-specific VAT, and body mass index (BMI).MethodsSubjects were selected from patients admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic. Newly diagnosed T2D patients treated with metformin monotherapy were analyzed and 40 patients were included. EAT thickness in the included patients was measured echocardiographically. BMI and EAT thickness were analyzed at the beginning (BMI0 and EAT0) and after three months of metformin monotherapy (BMI3 and EAT3).ResultsThere was a statistically significant decrease in EAT thickness after three months of metformin monotherapy (EAT0=5.07±1.33 mm vs. EAT3=4.76±1.32 mm; p<0.001). Furthermore, BMI was also significantly decreased (BMI0=28.27±2.71 vs. BMI3=27.29±2.10; p<0.0001).ConclusionsIn this study we show that metformin monotherapy significantly decreases EAT thickness and BMI in T2D patients. This suggests that metformin could reduce the frequency of coronary atherosclerosis.     

Relation of epicardial and pericoronary fat to coronary atherosclerosis and coronary artery calcium in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Fat surrounding coronary arteries might aggravate coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the relation between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericoronary fat and coronary atherosclerosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC) in patients with suspected CAD and whether this relation is modified by total body weight. This was a cross-sectional study of 128 patients with angina pectoris (61 +/- 6 years of age) undergoing coronary angiography. EAT volume and pericoronary fat thickness were measured with cardiac computed tomography. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by the number of stenotic (> or =50%) coronary vessels; extent of CAC was determined by the Agatston score. Patients were stratified for median total body weight (body mass index [BMI] 27 kg/m(2)). Overall, EAT and pericoronary fat were not associated with severity of coronary atherosclerosis and extent of CAC. In patients with low BMI, those with multivessel disease had increased EAT volume (100 vs 67 cm(3), p = 0.04) and pericoronary fat thickness (9.8 vs 8.4 mm, p = 0.06) compared with those without CAD. Also, patients with severe CAC had increased EAT volume (108.0 vs 69 cm(3), p = 0.02) and pericoronary fat thickness (10.0 vs 8.2 mm, p value = 0.01) compared with those with minimal/absent CAC. In conclusion, EAT and pericoronary fat were not associated with severity of coronary atherosclerosis and CAC in patients with suspected CAD. However, in those with low BMI, increased EAT and pericoronary fat were related to more severe coronary atherosclerosis and CAC. Fat surrounding coronary arteries may be involved in the process of coronary atherosclerosis, although this is different for patients with low and high BMIs.     

Total and interatrial epicardial adipose tissues are independently associated with left atrial remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation

Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Atrial Fibrillation. Introduction: As epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active visceral fat, potential interaction between EAT and myocardium is strongly suggested. The aims of this study were to determine whether the amount and regional distribution of EAT are related to the chronicity of atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) remodeling. Methods and Results: This study consisted of 40 subjects with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 40 with persistent AF (PeAF). Eighty subjects with no history of AF were enrolled as controls. Total volume of EAT (EAT_total), regional thickness of EAT, and LA volume (LAV) were measured by multislice computed tomography. In the AF group, blood samples were drawn from coronary sinus for analysis of inflammatory cytokines including adiponectin. Results: Compared with controls, AF subjects had larger LAV, EAT_total, and the thicknesses of periatrial EAT including interatrial septum (IAS). However, the thicknesses of periventricular EAT were not different between the groups. The PeAF subjects had larger LAV, EAT_total, and periatrial EAT thicknesses, higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, and lower level of adiponectin than did the PAF subjects. Adiponection level was significantly associated with EAT_total and IAS thickness. Multivariate analysis revealed that EAT_total (P = 0.004) and IAS thickness (P = 0.016) were independently associated with LAV. Conclusion: EAT_total and thickness of periatrial EAT were significantly larger in AF subjects compared to those of the matched controls and were closely related to the chronicity of AF. Moreover, EAT_total and IAS thickness were independently associated with LAV in subjects with AF . (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 647‐655, June 2011)     

The association of epicardial adipose tissue with coronary artery calcification among HIV-infected men

Little data exist regarding the association of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and cardiovascular disease among HIV-infected persons. Among 213 HIV-infected men, there was a significant association between protease inhibitor use and increasing EAT volume. EAT was significantly associated with coronary artery calcium greater than 100. The elevated coronary artery disease risk in HIV-infected men may be partially explained by EAT associated with protease inhibitor use.     

Deep-Learning for Epicardial Adipose Tissue Assessment With Computed Tomography: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction

BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is a marker of visceral obesity that can be measured in coronary computed tomography angiograms (CCTA). The clinical value of integrating this measurement in routine CCTA interpretation has not been documented.ObjectivesThis study sought to develop a deep-learning network for automated quantification of EAT volume from CCTA, test it in patients who are technically challenging, and validate its prognostic value in routine clinical care.MethodsThe deep-learning network was trained and validated to autosegment EAT volume in 3,720 CCTA scans from the ORFAN (Oxford Risk Factors and Noninvasive Imaging Study) cohort. The model was tested in patients with challenging anatomy and scan artifacts and applied to a longitudinal cohort of 253 patients post-cardiac surgery and 1,558 patients from the SCOT-HEART (Scottish Computed Tomography of the Heart) Trial, to investigate its prognostic value.ResultsExternal validation of the deep-learning network yielded a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.970 for machine vs human. EAT volume was associated with coronary artery disease (odds ratio [OR] per SD increase in EAT volume: 1.13 [95% CI: 1.04-1.30]; P = 0.01), and atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.08-1.40]; P = 0.03), after correction for risk factors (including body mass index). EAT volume predicted all-cause mortality (HR per SD: 1.28 [95% CI: 1.10-1.37]; P = 0.02), myocardial infarction (HR: 1.26 [95% CI:1.09-1.38]; P = 0.001), and stroke (HR: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.09-1.38]; P = 0.02) independently of risk factors in SCOT-HEART (5-year follow-up). It also predicted in-hospital (HR: 2.67 [95% CI: 1.26-3.73]; P ≤ 0.01) and long-term post–cardiac surgery atrial fibrillation (7-year follow-up; HR: 2.14 [95% CI: 1.19-2.97]; P ≤ 0.01).ConclusionsAutomated assessment of EAT volume is possible in CCTA, including in patients who are technically challenging; it forms a powerful marker of metabolically unhealthy visceral obesity, which could be used for cardiovascular risk stratification.