Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness Research Articles

Monocyte to HDL cholesterol ratio and smoking are predictors of epicardial fat tissue thickness

Objective: Smoking stimulates lipid accumulation and causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Epicardial Fat Tissue (EFT) resides between the visceral pericardium and myocardium. The aim of this study was to determine whether if smoking may accumulate Epicardial Fat Tissue thickness (EFTt). Material and methods: 266 smoking and 500 non-smoking subjects were included in the study. The subjects were chosen to be healthy individuals, without any cardiovascular/systemicdisorders or risk factors for atherosclerosis (except hyperlipidemia). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was applied to all subjects, and EFTt was measured in both diastole and systole (EFTtd and EFTts respectively). Results: EFTtd, EFTts, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and monocyte to the HDL cholesterol ratio (MHR) values were found to be significantly increased in the smoking group when compared to the non-smoking group. Pearson’s correlation analyses revealed that EFTtd and EFTts were related to pack.year, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, MHR, BMI, and age. Linear regression analysis results showed that smoking, pack.year, BMI, age, and MHR were independent predictors of EFTtd, EFTts. Conclusions: The study results showed that smoking increases the EFTtd and EFTts. Smoking and MHR were independent predictors of EFTt. Evaluating blood parameters together with EFTt may guide primary prevention in smokers.

Effects of insulin resistance on cardiovascular risk factors in obese and non-obese patients

Objectives: It is known that insulin resistance increases cardiovardiovascular risk. But it could not obviously be understood whether insulin resistance itself or the metabolic syndrome parameters, like obesity, that already exist in most of them, are responsible for this increased risk. Our aim is to determine cardiovascular risks in obese and non-obese insulin-resistant patients. Methods: One hundred thirty-nine patients were included in the study. They were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 (having obesity and insulin resistance), Group 2 (having only insulin resistance but not obesity), Group 3 (having obesity but not insulin resistance), and Group 4 (having neither obesity nor insulin resistance). Patients having any systemic disease were excluded. Insulin resistance is calculated via Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and lipid parameters of these patients were compared. Results: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of Group-4 were higher than Group 1 and Group 2. There was no statistical difference in HDL cholesterol levels between Group 3 and the others. Triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein levels were higher in Group 1. There was no difference in P wave dispersion between the groups. In echocardigraphy, epicardial fat tissue thickness of Group 1 was significantly higher. Prevalance of diastolic dysfunction was higher in Group 1 compared to Group 4. Conclusions: Insulin resistance itself is a risk factor for low HDL levels independent of obesity. When obesity is added to insulin resistance, other cardiovascular risk factors appear, like high triglyceride levels, increase in epicardial fat tissue thickness and presence of diastolic dysfunction. Early detection of insulin resistance may alert us to the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

The relationship of epicardial fat and atrial high-rate episodes in patients with permanent pacemaker

Objectives: Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) can occur in patients who have permanent pacemakers (PPM). AHRE is classified as subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF). Also, AHRE is related to clinical AF. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness is linked to AF. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between AHRE and EFT thickness in PPM patients. Methods: Forty patients with dual-chamber PPM were enrolled. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure the thickness of the EFT. Patients were examined in 2 groups according to whether there was AHRE in the records: group 1 (AHRE) and group 2 (AHRE-free). A high atrial rate of more than 175 beats per minute for more than 5 minutes was defined as AHRE. The findings of the standard 2-dimensional echocardiography and the Doppler echocardiography were all recorded. A statistical relationship between EFT thickness and the development of AF was investigated. Results: Group 1 had ten patients, while Group 2 included thirty individuals. When the demographic features of the two groups were compared, they were similar. Both groups had similar 2-D echocardiographic and Doppler results. The difference in EFT thickness between groups 1 (2.0 ± 1.1 mm) and 2 (2.9 ± 1.8 mm) was not statistically significant (p = 0.138). Conclusions: In patients with PPM, AHRE may develop after implantation and may be detected asymptomatically in periodic follow-up. In this population, we did not observe a significant association between EFT thickness and the development of AF.

Relationship of epicardial fat tissue thickness and arterial rigidity in patients with chronic heart failure and obesity

Relationship of epicardial fat tissue thickness and arterial rigidity in patients with chronic heart failure and obesity

Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness as a Cardiovascular Risk Marker and its Association with Microalbuminuria in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Objectives: Hypertension is one of the essential modifiable risk factors in causing stroke, renal disease, cardiovascular diseases, and peripheral artery disease. Epicardial fat tissue is regarded as endocrine organ and is metabolically active as it produces angiotensinogen and free fatty acids which are proinflammatory cytokines and are atherogenic. The presence of microalbuminuria has been associated with endothelial dysfunction that predisposes to cardiovascular events. The aim of this study is to determine the association of epicardial fat tissue with age, sex, serum creatinine, left ventricular (LV) mass, serum albumin, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides in patients with essential hypertension. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with essential hypertension were divided into two groups each having 50 patients. Group A included urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) <30 mg/g. Group B included UACR >30 mg/g. Age, body mass index, blood pressure, creatinine, urea, albumin, LDL, triglycerides, and epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT) were evaluated and compared between two groups. All patients underwent UACR, transthoracic echocardiography to determine EAT, LV mass, and ejection fraction. Results: In our study, EAT ranged from 2 mm to 6.9 mm, with mean value of 3.21 mm and 5.12 mm in Groups A and B, respectively. Mean EAT values were found to be higher in Group B compared to A and was found to be statistically significant. Similarly, LDL, triglycerides, serum albumin levels, and LV mass showed significant difference among two groups. Serum albumin level in Group B was significantly reduced than the patients with normal urine albumin creatinine ratio. Conclusion: EAT serve as an important indicator in patients with essential hypertension to determine target organ damage and to stratify high risk group.

Evaluation of cardiovascular system and determination of cardiometabolic risk using novel biomarkers in childhood obesity

BackgroundObesity is a metabolic disorder that is defined as excessive increase in body fat tissue. Early recognition of obesity in children is essential to prevent complications that may occur in both childhood and adulthood. ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess cardiometabolic risk and to investigate the association between novel biomarkers and cardiovascular disease in obese children. MethodsThis research was performed between June 2014 and January 2015 in the Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine. Fifty obese children and, 29 healthy children were included in the study. Fasting levels of serum lipids, glucose and insulin, serum copeptin, BNP, and ADM were measured. Thickness of main CIMT and EAT were assessed with 2D echocardiogram. M-mode echocardiographic measurements, mitral and tricuspid valve measurements with PDE, and tricuspid and interventricular septum measurements with TDE were performed in both groups. Treadmill stress testing was performed in the same patient group. ResultsLevels of total cholesterol and LDL were significantly higher in obese group. Serum BNP and serum ADM levels were significantly lower in obese group. Left ventricular mass index, CIMT and EAT were statistically higher in obese group. Left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, interventricular septum diameter, posterior wall thickness were significantly higher in obese group than in control group. Time to reach target heart rate in treadmill stress testing was significantly shorter in obese group than in control group. ConclusionChildhood obesity is associated with significant changes in the myocardial structure based on echocardiography. Thickness of carotid intima-media and epicardial fat tissue can be used as predictive markers of atherosclerosis in obese children. Our study demonstrated that exercise capacity is significantly lower, and hemodynamic response to exercise is defective in obese children.

Echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and immature granulocyte are novel inflammatory predictors of acute ischemic stroke: a prospective study.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the most common type of stroke. Inflammation is the primary factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Use of immature granulocytes (IGs) has been recommended as a new indicator of systemic inflammation. However, data on the association between echocardiographic epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFT) and IGs in patients with AIS are limited. To evaluate the association between the presences of IGs, epicardial fat tissue and AIS. Prospective study in a tertiary-care university hospital in Antalya, Turkey. Our study included 53 AIS patients and 41 healthy controls with age and gender compatibility. Blood samples and transthoracic echocardiography of all participants were compared. IG levels were significantly higher in patients with AIS than in controls (0.62 ± 0.36 versus 0.28 ± 0.02, P < 0.001). The mean EFT was 3.74 ± 0.61 mm in the control group and 6.33 ± 1.47 mm in the AIS patient group. EFT was significantly greater in AIS patients than in controls (P < 0.001). For the optimum cut-off value for IG (0.95), the area under the curve (AUC) was determined to be 0.840; sensitivity was determined to be 81.1% and specificity, 92.5%. For the optimum cut-off value for EFT (4.95 mm), the AUC was determined to be 0.953; sensitivity was determined to be 90.6% and specificity, 90%. IG and echocardiographic EFT are clinical markers that can be used to predict AIS risk.

Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness and Omentin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Although electrical and structural remodeling has been recognized to be important in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation, the mechanisms underlying remodeling process are unknown. There has been increasing interest in the involvement of inflammatory molecules and adipokines released from the epicardial fat tissue in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Objectives: In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of atrial fibrillation with increased epicardial adipose tissue, inflammatory molecules released from this tissue and omentin. Methods: Thirty-six patients [...]

Meta-Analysis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Electromechanical Reconstruction of Myocardium.

In developed countries, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which results from obesity, has become endemic and kills many adults annually. Health research centers in most countries are looking to examine the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic biomarkers. A bleeding-prone standard liver biopsy or costly magnetic resonance imaging scan is used to diagnose NAFLD. The present study aimed to analyze medical databases using various scientific articles; moreover, this experiment analyzed medical databases using published scientific articles related to NAFLD, endovascular treatment, cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disorders, changes in the geometry of atria and ventricles, changes in myocardial mass volume as well as diastolic flow left and right ventricular systolic functions, coronary blood flow, analysis of the dependence of epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness, and the presence of chronic heart failure (CHF). It is demonstrated that the index of EFT in NAFLD positively correlated with the criteria of cardiovascular health, values of the carotid intima-media thickness, and calcification of the coronary arteries on the coronary artery calcium scale (P<0.0001). The index of per EFT significantly correlated with the factor of the age of the NAFLD patients (P=0.04), hemoglobin A1C level (P<0.001), systemic inflammatory index (P=0.02), the index of impaired glucose tolerance (P=0.03), and especially, the patient's diabetes factor (P<0.001). In addition, adiponectin levels were significantly lower in individuals with NAFLD (P=0.001) and patients with MetS (P=0.02). NAFLD in association with an increase in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, CHF, as well as structural and electrophysiological myocardial remodeling. The study of pathogenetic mechanisms in the context of the role of EAT and clinical monitoring of its condition are urgent problems of modern medicine.

Relationship between epicardial fat tissue thickness and CRP and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio in metabolic syndrome patients over 65 years

Rationale: There are no data evaluating the association of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C- reactive protein (CRP) with epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFTT) in elderly metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. In this study, we tried to investigate the relationship of EFTT with CRP and NLR in patients with metabolic syndrome over 65 years.

Beta cell function as an assessment tool for cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome

Background/Aim: Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is considered a cardiovascular risk factor independent from visceral adiposity, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Fasting serum C-peptide is a known marker of endogenous insulin secretion and beta cell function. Our aim was to evaluate C- peptide levels in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in relation to the EFT thickness. Methods: Forty-five subjects with MetS without a history of coronary artery disease and 25 healthy volunteers were enrolled this prospective case-control study. We examined the laboratory values, including C peptide, insulin, and HOMA-IR after 8 hours of fasting. EFT thickness was measured by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Results: The serum C peptide levels were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to the healthy controls [3.41(1.98) ng/ml vs 2.07 (1.39), P

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EPICARDIAL FAT TISSUE THICKNESS AND RISK OF FREQUENT PREMATURE VENTRICULAR CONTRACTIONS

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relation between epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness and frequent premature ventricular contractions. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, patients with no structural heart diseases diagnosed with PVCs on a 24 holter rhythm monitoring were included. EFT thickness was measured by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. PVCs of more than 10 per hour were considered as frequent PVCs. To investigate the effect of independent variables, univariate logistic regression was performed. Results: Of total 50 studied patients, 64% were females. The mean age of subjects was 46.8 ± 13.1 years. Twenty-five patients were experiencing frequent PVCs of &gt;10 per hour. In univariate analysis, age (OR= 1.05, 95 % CI; 1.01-1.10, p=0.050), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (OR= 1.14, 95 % CI; 1.01-1.28, p=0.036) and left atrial (LA) diameter (OR= 1.35, 95 % CI; 1.11-1.62, p=0.002) were significantly associated with developing frequent PVC. EFT thickness was positively correlated with age (r= 0.389, p= 0.005) and inter-ventricular septum thickness in diastole (IVSD) (r= 0.384, p= 0.006).  No significant correlation between EFT and PVCs was found (p=0.669). Conclusion: Patients with frequent PVCs had significantly higher LVEDD and LA diameter. Although patients with higher EFT thickness were more likely to experience frequent PVCs, there was no statistically significant correlation between EFT thickness and frequent PVCs.

Evaluation of epicardial fat tissue thickness and aortic stiffness in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective We aimed to assess the relationship between gestational diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease by measuring epicardial fat tissue thickness and aortic stiffness in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. Methods 28 pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus and 25 pregnant women without gestational diabetes mellitus were included in the research. Body mass index, laboratory values, blood pressure measurements and obstetric history findings of the study population were recorded. All participants of the study population were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography between 24 and 28 weeks of gestational period. The measurement of epicardial fat tissue thickness was taken and aortic stiffness index was also calculated. Results The age, gravidity, parity and obstetric history of the two groups were similar. Epicardial fat tissue thickness was found significantly higher in gestational diabetes mellitus group than control group (0.416 cm and 0.336 cm, respectively; p&lt;0.001). However, no significant difference was found in aortic stiffness measurements of the two groups (p=0.079). Conclusion According to the results of our study, epicardial fat tissue thickness was found to be statistically significantly higher in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared to the control group. The fact that no difference was detected in other cardiovascular parameters suggests that measurement of epicardial fat tissue thickness in gestational period may be a beneficial adjunctive tool in early detection of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Relationship between Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness and CRP and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Metabolic Syndrome Patients Over 65 Years.

Objective:There are no data evaluating the association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with epicardial fat tissue thickness (EFTT) in elderly metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of EFTT with CRP and NLR in patients with MS over 65 years.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed. Fifty patients (patient group) with MS and 25 subjects (control group) without MS were allocated in the study. All parameters were compared in patient and control groups. The correlations between NLR, CRP, and EFTT were evaluated.Results:White blood cell and neutrophil levels were higher in MS group (p=0.020 and p=0.019, respectively). Both transverse and longitudinal EFTT were increased in MS patients (p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the EFTT and NLR but not with CRP in the MS group (r=0.4, p=0.003).Conclusion:Our study showed that both longitudinal and transverse EFTT are associated with NLR in patients older than 65 years with MS. In geriatric MS patients, higher NLR level may be an indicator of increased visceral fat around the myocardium.

Evaluation of epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS), which is inflammatory in its pathogenesis, damages the myelin sheath in the central nervous system (CNS) and causes axonal loss. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT), located between the myocardium and the visceral layer of the pericardium, surrounds the heart and several inflammatory cytokines is secreted from this tissue. In this study, we aimed to investigate EFT thickness in MS patients and compared with that of volunteer non-MS subjects. Methods: A total of 154 subjects comprising 61 MS patients and 93 volunteers matched for gender and age were included in our study.  Epicardial fat tissue thickness was measured by echocardiography. All values were compared between groups. Results: Echocardiographic parameters were similar in both groups. However, the mean EFT thickness was significantly higher in the MS group than in the control group (p<0.001). Epicardial fat tissue thickness was also significantly correlated with the presence of MS (r=0.33, p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the increase in epicardial adipose tissue thickness in MS patients may be a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical significance of this finding and its relevance to MS pathogenesis should be investigated in further studies.

Epicardial fat tissue can predict subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with erectile dysfunction

Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an early form of atherosclerosis and subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) function, even in the absence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between EFT and LV systolic function in patients with erectile ED by speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) method. Methods A total of 129 consecutive patients with ED were compared with 145 age- and sex-matched control subjects. ED was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Thickness of EFT was measured by TTE. Global LV longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and global LV circumferential strain (LV-GCS) were measured by 2D-STE method. Results The EFT thickness was significantly higher in the patients with ED (p <.01). LV-GLS and LV-GCS were revealed to be more deterioration in the ED group compared to controls (−18.2 ± 2.7 vs. (−21.1 ± 3.9, p<.001; −19.5 ± 4.1 vs. −21.9 ± 3.9, p<.001, respectively). It has been shown that EFT thickness is an independent predictor of LV dysfunction. Conclusions These results indicate that EFT thickness is associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in patients with ED.

Evaluation of serum endocan levels in relation to epicardial fat tissue thickness in metabolic syndrome patients.

IntroductionMetabolic syndrome has been recognized as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness has recently been shown to be a predictor of cardiovascular diseases in metabolic syndrome patients. Endocan is a novel molecule which is considered to be an early marker of endothelial dysfunction. Our aim was to evaluate endocan serum levels for the first time in metabolic syndrome patients, in relation to EFT thickness.Material and methodsThe study included 44 patients with metabolic syndrome who had neither chronic kidney disease nor chronic inflammation and 26 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were obtained from the groups. The serum levels of endocan were measured with a Sunred ELISA kit. EFT thickness of patients was measured by echocardiography.ResultsThe serum endocan levels were significantly lower in the metabolic syndrome patients compared to the healthy controls (120.71 ±90.17 pg/ml vs. 414.59 ±277.57, p < 0.001). Metabolic syndrome patients demonstrated significantly higher EFT (p = 0.042). EFT thickness had a positive correlation with age (r = 0.397, p = 0.008) and weight (r = 0.010). However, there was no correlation with serum endocan (r = –0.021, p = 0.893) or other parameters. Regression analysis revealed that waist circumference is the parameter among metabolic syndrome criteria having the strongest relationship with serum endocan levels (β = –0.499, p = 0.21).ConclusionsEFT thickness was high in metabolic syndrome patients and can be a useful marker for cardiovascular risk assessment. However, serum endocan levels were found to be low and there was no correlation with EFT thickness. Large sample sized prospective studies are needed to clarify the relation of endocan levels with the other clinical indicators of cardiovascular risk in metabolic syndrome.

Echocardiographic assessment of epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with severe periodontitis

This study aims to assess the thickness of epicardial fat tissue (EFT), a sign of cardiovascular risk, using echocardiography in patients with severe periodontitis. Thirty-three patients with stage III or IV periodontitis and 33 healthy participants were enrolled into the study. Epicardial fat tissue thickness was measured perpendicularly via echocardiography of the free wall of the right ventricular at end-diastole in three cardiac cycles. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. EFT to BMI ratio (EFT/BMI) was measured by dividing EFT by the BMI. There was no significant difference between study patients and the control group as regards to the frequency of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. The EFT and EFT/ BMI ratio were significantly different in the control and periodontitis groups (0.51±0.17 vs. 0.77±0.16, respectively; p ≤0.001) (0.021±0.008 vs. 0.030±0.006, respectively; p≤0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant relationship between EFT and the clinical parameters of periodontitis (p<0.001) EFT thickness measured by echocardiography appears to be associated with severe periodontitis and may thus be an indirect sign of cardiovascular disease in periodontitis patients. Este estudo visa a avaliar a espessura do tecido adiposo epicárdico (TAE), um sinal de risco cardiovascular, utilizando ecocardiografia em doentes com periodontite grave. Foram incluídos no estudo 33 doentes com periodontite de fase III ou IV e 33 participantes saudáveis. A espessura do tecido adiposo epicárdico foi medida por ecocardiografia da parede livre do ventrículo direito no fiml do diastol. O índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) é calculado dividindo o peso em quilogramas pelo quadrado de altura em metros. O rácio TAE/IMC foi medido dividindo TAE pelo valor IMC. Não houve diferença significativa entre os pacientes do estudo e o grupo controle em relação às frequências de diabetes mellitus, hipertensão, tabagismo e hiperlipidemia. TAE e TAE/IMC rácio foram significativamente diferentes entre o controle e a periodontite grupos (de 0,51±0,17 versus 0,77±0,16, respetivamente; p≤0,001) (0,021±0,008 versus 0,030±0,006, respetivamente; p≤0,001). A espessura da TAE medida por ecocardiografia parece estar associada a periodontite grave e pode, portanto, ser um sinal indirecto de doenças cardiovasculares em doentes com periodontite.

The relationship between epicardial fat tissue thickness and transit time flow measurement values of coronary artery bypass grafts

Introduction: Epicardial fat tissue, the true visceral adipose depot of the heart, has been associated with changes in both cardiac function and morphology. This study aimed to show the relationship between epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness and graft flow dynamics in arterial and venous grafts in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods: Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography before surgery and epicardial fat thickness were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups as EFT value <5.5 (group 1) mm and ≥5.5 (group 2) mm. One hundred eighty-one patients with a total of 434 grafts (162 arterial and272 venous) underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. All grafts were examined by transit time flow meter intraoperatively. Results: The mean epicardial fat tissue thickness values were 4.9±0.8 mm and 6.1±1.3 mm, respectively.Mean graft flow values of left internal mammary artery was 44.21±23.2 mL/min in group 1 and39.65 ± 19.2 mL/min in group 2 (P = 0.041). Similarly, mean graft flow values were higher in group1 in all venous grafts regardless of which vessel bypass was performed. There is a significant negative correlation between epicardial fat thickness and mean graft flow. Conclusion: Epicardial fat thickness measurement preoperatively might provide additional data for the faith of the graft.

Echocardiographic assessment of epicardial fat tissue thickness in patients with severe periodontitis

ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the thickness of epicardial fat tissue (EFT), a sign of cardiovascular risk, using echocardiography in patients with severe periodontitis. MethodsThirty-three patients with stage III or IV periodontitis and 33 healthy participants were enrolled into the study. Epicardial fat tissue thickness was measured perpendicularly via echocardiography of the free wall of the right ventricular at end-diastole in three cardiac cycles. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the height in meters squared. EFT to BMI ratio (EFT/BMI) was measured by dividing EFT by the BMI. ResultsThere was no significant difference between study patients and the control group as regards to the frequency of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. The EFT and EFT/ BMI ratio were significantly different in the control and periodontitis groups (0.51±0.17 vs. 0.77±0.16, respectively; p ≤0.001) (0.021±0.008 vs. 0.030±0.006, respectively; p≤0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficient demonstrated a significant relationship between EFT and the clinical parameters of periodontitis (p<0.001) ConclusionsEFT thickness measured by echocardiography appears to be associated with severe periodontitis and may thus be an indirect sign of cardiovascular disease in periodontitis patients.