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Epicardial adipose tissue volume highly correlates with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in endogenous

Chun-Qiong Ran1,2, Ying Su1,3, Jin Li4

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Annals of Medicine
|August 5, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Cushing's syndrome (CS) patients show higher epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) and increased risk of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). EATV is an independent risk factor for LVDD in CS.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cushing's syndrome (CS) increases heart failure risk, often presenting as left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).
  • Investigating body composition parameters may reveal LVDD risk factors in CS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore potential risk factors for LVDD in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome.
  • To analyze the association between body composition, including epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV), and LVDD in CS.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 86 CS patients and 86 matched healthy controls (age, gender, BMI).
  • Epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV), abdominal adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle mass measured using LIFEx software on CT scans.
  • Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function assessed via echocardiography.

Main Results:

  • CS patients exhibited significantly higher EATV (150.33 cm³ vs 90.55 cm³), increased visceral fat, and reduced skeletal muscle mass compared to controls.
  • LVDD prevalence was higher in CS patients (p < 0.001).
  • EATV emerged as an independent risk factor for LVDD in CS (OR = 1.015, p = 0.011), with a cut-point of 139.252 cm³ showing 84% sensitivity and 55.6% specificity for LVDD detection.

Conclusions:

  • Cushing's syndrome is linked to increased EAT, visceral fat, decreased skeletal muscle, and higher LVDD prevalence.
  • Epicardial adipose tissue volume is a significant independent risk factor for LVDD in CS patients.
  • EATV may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of LVDD within the context of Cushing's syndrome.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cushing’s syndromeepicardial adipose tissue volumeleft ventricular diastolic dysfunctionskeletal muscle massvisceral fat

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