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Relationship Between Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection
1Cardiology, Buyuk Anadolu Hospital, Samsun, TUR.
Insights
Increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. This finding suggests EAT may serve as a biomarker for AF risk in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Science
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) frequently coexists with atrial fibrillation (AF), worsening patient prognosis.
- Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), an active fat depot, is implicated in AF development through atrial remodeling and fibrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between EAT thickness and the presence of AF in patients with HFpEF.
- To assess EAT thickness as a potential biomarker for AF risk stratification in HFpEF.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 110 HFpEF patients was analyzed, with AF status confirmed by electrocardiography.
- Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness was quantified using transthoracic echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Patients with AF exhibited significantly greater EAT thickness (8.3 ± 0.9 mm) compared to those without AF (7.1 ± 0.8 mm).
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis confirmed EAT thickness as a strong predictor of AF (AUC = 0.87).
- An EAT thickness cut-off of 7.5 mm demonstrated 89% sensitivity and 75% specificity for AF detection.
Conclusions:
- Elevated EAT thickness is independently associated with AF in HFpEF patients.
- EAT thickness shows promise as a biomarker for identifying individuals at higher risk of AF.
- Further research is warranted to explore therapeutic strategies targeting EAT for improved clinical outcomes in this patient group.
Introduction And Aim:
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a significant clinical challenge, often coexisting with atrial fibrillation (AF), which exacerbates patient outcomes by increasing risks of stroke, hospitalizations, and mortality. Recent studies suggest that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a metabolically active fat depot, may contribute to AF pathogenesis by promoting atrial remodeling and fibrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between EAT thickness and AF in HFpEF patients.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 110 HFpEF patients were included, with 20 (18.2%) having documented AF. EAT thickness was measured using transthoracic echocardiography, and AF was confirmed via electrocardiography.
Results:
Patients with AF had significantly greater EAT thickness compared to those without AF (8.3 ± 0.9 mm vs. 7.1 ± 0.8 mm, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that EAT thickness was a strong predictor of AF (AUC = 0.87, p < 0.001), with a cut-off value of 7.5 mm achieving 89% sensitivity and 75% specificity.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that increased EAT thickness is independently associated with AF in HFpEF patients, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for AF risk stratification. Future studies should explore whether targeting EAT could improve clinical outcomes in this high-risk population.
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