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Updated: May 10, 2026
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Relation of epicardial fat thickness and brachial flow-mediated vasodilation with coronary artery disease
Hasan Kaya1, Faruk Ertaş1, Mustafa Oylumlu1
1Department of Cardiology, Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
Insights
Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is a significant predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). Higher EFT levels were associated with CAD, suggesting its utility in risk stratification.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Risk Factor Assessment
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Early identification of individuals at risk for CAD is crucial for effective management.
- Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) are potential non-invasive markers for cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To examine the relationship between flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and CAD.
- To determine the predictive value of EFT in identifying CAD presence.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic measurement of EFT and FMD in 64 patients with suspected stable angina.
- Patients categorized into CAD (n=34) and normal coronary arteries (NCA, n=30) groups based on coronary angiography.
- Multivariate logistic regression analysis performed to identify independent predictors of CAD.
Main Results:
- EFT was significantly higher in the CAD group (6.43 ± 0.90 mm) compared to the NCA group (5.35 ± 0.75 mm).
- FMD was significantly lower in the CAD group (6.41 ± 2.51%) versus the NCA group (8.33 ± 3.45%).
- EFT (OR: 6.325) and age (OR: 1.093) were independent predictors of CAD. A cut-off EFT of ≥5.8mm showed 77% sensitivity and 70% specificity for CAD detection.
Conclusions:
- Echocardiographic assessment of EFT is independently associated with the presence of CAD.
- EFT serves as a valuable tool for cardiometabolic risk stratification.
- EFT measurement can aid in guiding therapeutic interventions for CAD prevention and management.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of a statistical association between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and coronary artery disease (CAD) and between flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and CAD.
Methods:
We measured the EFT and FMD in 64 subjects with suspected stable angina pectoris. The patients were separated into two groups according to their coronary angiography results: 34 patients with CAD and 30 patients with normal coronary arteries (NCA).
Results:
EFT was significantly higher in the patients with CAD than the NCA group (6.43 ± 0.90 mm vs. 5.35 ± 0.75 mm, p<0.001) while FMD was significantly lower in the patients with CAD than those in the NCA group (6.41 ± 2.51% vs. 8.33 ± 3.45%, p=0.015). No significant correlation was found between EFT and FMD. After adjustment for EFT, FMD, age, sex, ejection fraction, glucose, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol through multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFT (odds ratio: 6.325, 95% confidence interval 2.289-17.476, p<0.001) and age (odds ratio: 1.093, 95% confidence interval 1.008-1.185, p=0.032) remained significant predictors of CAD. A cut-off value of EFT≥5.8mm predicted the presence of CAD with 77% sensitivity and 70% specificity.
Conclusion:
An echocardiographic EFT assessment is independently associated with the presence of CAD. Thus, EFT may be helpful in cardiometabolic risk stratification and therapeutic interventions.
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