Epicardial adipose tissue in patients with systemic sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is implicated in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
• The role of EAT in cardiac involvement in SSc requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between EAT and left ventricular (LV) function in SSc patients.
• To evaluate the prognostic significance of EAT in SSc.
• To determine if EAT is an independent predictor of mortality in SSc.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study including 230 SSc patients.
• Quantification of EAT mass using non-contrast thorax computed tomography.
• Assessment of LV function via echocardiography.
• Follow-up for all-cause mortality over a median of 8 years.

Main Results:

• Increased EAT mass (≥67g) was associated with impaired LV diastolic function.
• EAT mass remained independently associated with LV diastolic parameters after adjustment.
• Patients with higher EAT mass had a significantly higher rate of all-cause mortality (29% vs. 7%).
• EAT was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions:

• Epicardial adipose tissue is independently associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients.
• Elevated EAT mass is a significant predictor of increased all-cause mortality in SSc.
• EAT may serve as a valuable biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification in SSc.