[Correlation between multi-slice spiral CT determined epicardial adipose tissue volume and atrial fibrillation]

Objective: To determine the relationship between volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) . Methods: A total of 207 patients who hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital from January 2016 to June 2018 were included in this study. They were divided into two groups, including AF group (n=125) and sinus rhythm group (n=82). The AF group included 80 paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 45 persistent AF (PeAF) patients. Total EAT and left atrial EAT (LA-EAT) volume were measured using 256 rows of multi-slice spiral CT in all patients. Echocardiographic derived left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial diameter (LAD) were analyzed. Hospholipase A2 and blood lipids were examined in all patients. The baseline data and EAT volume of all groups were compared. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors related to the occurrence of AF. The correlation between total EAT volume and LA-EAT volume and LAD were analyzed by Pearson correlation. Result: The volume of total EAT in patients with sinus rhythm, AF, PAF and PeAF were (92.2±32.1), (136.0±46.0), (134.2±46.3) and (140.1±52.6)cm(3), respectively. The volume of LA-EAT in patients with sinus rhythm, AF, PeAF and PAF were (27.1±7.5), (39.2±19.2), (35.9± 17.0) and (45.1±21.5)cm(3), respectively. Total EAT and LA-EAT volume were significantly larger in PAF and PeAF groups than in sinus rhythm group (all P<0.01). The LA-EAT volume was larger in PeAF group than in PAF group (P<0.01), but total EAT volume was similar between two groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that total EAT volume (OR=1.202, 95%CI 1.083-1.334, P=0.001), LA-EAT volume (OR=1.051, 95%CI 1.003-1.101, P=0.037) and LAD (OR=1.019, 95%CI 1.005-1.032, P=0.006) were the independent related factors of AF. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the total EAT volume was positively correlated with LAD (r=0.466, P<0.01) and LA-EAT volume was positively correlated with LAD (r=0.290, P<0.01). Conclusion: The volume of total EAT and LA-EAT measured by 256-row multi-slice spiral CT is significantly correlated with the incidence of AF.