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Increased Epicardial Fat Thickness in Sudden Death From Stable Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis

Belinda Fuller1, Jack Garland, Sravan Anne

  • 1From the *Department of Forensic Medicine, Newcastle, Forensic & Analytical Science Service, New South Wales Health Pathology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales; †Faculty of Education, Science, Technology and Mathematics (ESTeM), University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; and ‡School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan; and §Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia.

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|April 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Sudden cardiac death from stable coronary artery atherosclerosis (SCAA) is linked to increased epicardial fat. This study found higher epicardial fat thickness in SCAA victims, suggesting it may contribute to sudden cardiac events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Sudden death from stable coronary artery atherosclerosis (SCAA) is a recognized phenomenon.
  • While coronary artery atherosclerosis can lead to noncardiac causes of death, increased epicardial fat is increasingly linked to cardiac dysfunction.
  • This study investigates the role of epicardial fat in SCAA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if individuals who suddenly died of SCAA exhibit increased epicardial fat.
  • To compare epicardial fat thickness between SCAA victims and individuals with coronary artery atherosclerosis who died of noncardiac causes.

Main Methods:

  • A 1-year retrospective study.
  • Comparison of average epicardial fat thickness using postmortem computed tomography (CT) scans.
  • Two groups were analyzed: those who died of SCAA and those who died of noncardiac causes (NCC) despite having coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • Average epicardial fat thickness was significantly higher in the SCAA group (8 ± 2 mm) compared to the NCC group (6 ± 2 mm).
  • The difference in epicardial fat thickness was statistically significant (P = 0.008).

Conclusions:

  • Individuals experiencing sudden death from SCAA demonstrate elevated epicardial fat thickness.
  • Increased epicardial fat may be a contributing factor to sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Abstract

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