The correlation between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and left ventricular systolic function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
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Updated: Oct 31, 2026
Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
Published on: February 20, 2017
Sisi Lin1, Shengmin Zhang2, Hui Zhou1
1Department of Medical Ultrasound, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
Background:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause myocardial damage and left ventricular dysfunction in patients. Abnormal deposition of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) can promote the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in EAT thickness in patients with SLE and apply two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to study the correlation between EAT and left ventricular systolic function.
Patients And Methods:
This case-control study recruited a total of 67 SLE patients as the case group and 31 healthy individuals as the control group. Left ventricular systolic function parameters were measured using 2D-STE. Changes and correlations in laboratory indicators, EAT, and left ventricular systolic function parameters were compared between groups.
Results:
Compared with the control group, the case group showed significantly increased EAT and diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWD) (P<0.05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apical two-chamber longitudinal strain (AP2C LS), apical three-chamber longitudinal strain (AP3C LS), apical four-chamber longitudinal strain (AP4C LS), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The 18-segment left ventricular longitudinal strain was further grouped according to coronary artery supply; the LAD, RCA, and LCX groups in the patient cohort all showed reductions compared with the healthy control group (P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that EAT was negatively correlated with GLS (r = -0.39, P < 0.05), LAD group (r = -0.26, P < 0.05), RCA group (r = -0.47, P < 0.05), and LCX group (r = -0.29, P < 0.05), and positively correlated with duration of illness (DT) (r = 0.41, P < 0.05) and age (r = 0.45, P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that EAT is an important influencing factor of left ventricular longitudinal strain function (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness is negatively correlated with left ventricular systolic function. EAT can effectively reflect changes in left ventricular systolic function in SLE patients, providing a basis for clinical management and early intervention.
