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Effect of epicardial adipose tissue on diastolic functions and left atrial dimension in untreated hypertensive

Mustafa Çetin1, Sinan Altan Kocaman, Murtaza Emre Durakoğlugil

  • 1Rize Education and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Rize, Turkey.

Journal of Cardiology
|March 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is linked to diastolic dysfunction (DD) in hypertensive patients. This finding highlights EAT as a key indicator, independent of other obesity measures, for cardiovascular health assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Obesity and Metabolism

Background:

  • Adipose tissue releases adipokines impacting the cardiovascular system.
  • Hypertension is a major factor in diastolic dysfunction (DD), but the precise mechanism remains unclear.
  • Limited research exists on epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and left ventricular DD in essential hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients with untreated essential hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional, observational study involving 127 patients with untreated hypertension.
  • Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography was performed.
  • Measurements included epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and diastolic parameters.

Main Results:

  • Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) showed significant correlations with left atrial dimension, DD parameters, left ventricular (LV) mass, age, and blood pressure.
  • EAT was an independent predictor of all DD parameters.
  • EAT levels were significantly higher in patients with high-grade DD, comparable to age and superior to LV mass and mean blood pressure in predicting DD presence and severity.

Conclusions:

  • Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement in untreated hypertensive individuals.
  • This relationship is independent of and stronger than abdominal obesity.
  • Measuring EAT thickness is clinically significant for assessing cardiovascular risk in hypertension.
Abstract

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