Epicardial fat: An additional measurement for subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk stratification?

Matthew R. Nelson, Farouk Mookadam, Venkata Thota, Usha Emani, Mohsen Al Harthi, Steven J. Lester, Stephen Cha, Jan Stepanek, R. Todd Hurst

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The value of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness as determined by echocardiography in cardiovascular risk assessment is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between EAT thickness and Framingham risk score, carotid intima media thickness, carotid artery plaque, and computed tomographic coronary calcium score in a primary prevention population. Methods: Patients presenting for cardiovascular preventive care (n = 356) who underwent echocardiography as well as carotid artery ultrasound and/or coronary calcium scoring were included. Results: EAT thickness was weakly correlated with Framingham risk score. The prevalence of carotid plaque was significantly greater in those with EAT thickness ≥5.0 mm who either had low Framingham risk scores or had body mass indexes ≥25 kg/m2, compared with those with EAT thickness <5.0 mm. No significant association between EAT thickness and carotid intima-media thickness or coronary calcium score existed. Conclusion: EAT thickness ≥5.0 mm may identify an individual with a higher likelihood of having detectable carotid atherosclerosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)339-345
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Volume24
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2011

Keywords

  • Echocardiography
  • Epicardial adipose tissue

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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