Abstract
Background/ObjectivesCoronary 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.MethodsWe 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.ResultsOverall, 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).ConclusionEAT 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.
Highlights
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot that shares direct anatomic contact with the myocardium without fascial interruption
EAT thickness was higher in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (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 a univariate regression analysis, EAT index was associated with a 35% higher frequency of CMD
Summary
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot that shares direct anatomic contact with the myocardium without fascial interruption. Through its shared blood supply with the coronary circulation, the EAT may cause paracrine effects on the neighboring vasculature and myocardium with inflammatory and atherogenic cytokines, such as monocyte chemo attractant (MCP‐1), interleukin‐β, Substantial evidence has demonstrated that EAT thickness and volume are well-established risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) [3,4,5]. They offer an accurate and effective estimation for the presence and severity of CAD [6, 7]. Inflammation has been shown to have a pathogenic role in endothelial dysfunction and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) [8].
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