Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Hypertensive Patients with or without Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Abstract

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a type of visceral fat located between the heart and pericardium, affecting vascular smooth muscle activity through chemical secretion. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular metabolic issues and may relate to hypertension (HT).

Objective: To assess the correlation between EAT thickness and HT in individuals with and without left ventricular  hypertrophy  (LVH).

Patients and Methods: This observational study included 105 individuals with HT, defined as  having a systolic blood pressure of  ≥140 mm Hg, a diastolic pressure of ≥90 mm Hg, or being on antihypertensive  medication, and 30 healthy controls. Participants  underwent transthoracic echocardiography to measure left ventricle  dimensions and EAT thickness.

Results: Positive correlations were  found between EAT thickness and several cardiac  structural and functional parameters (Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), the ratio of  early mitral inflow velocity to  mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/'e ratio), etc.), with a significant correlation between EAT thickness  and both  LVMI and E/'e ratio. EAT thickness above 5.25 mm predicted LVH in HT patients with 85.7% sensitivity, 82.1%  specificity, and  83.9% accuracy.

Conclusions: Compared to hypertensiveEpicardial Adipose Tissue; Thickness, Hypertension; Left ventricular hypertrophy.  patients without hypertrophy and healthy  individuals, hypertensive patients with LVH had a much thicker EAT. Based on  the findings, EAT may be a useful  marker for HT ventricular remodeling and hypertrophy