Association of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness with Left Atrial Size and Atrial Fibrillation
Ahmed M. Abd ElSalam *
Cardiovascular Department, Police Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.
Amany M. Allaithy
Cardiovascular Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Mona Elsaedy
Cardiovascular Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Ekram Sadek Said
Cardiovascular Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with detrimental consequences. Epicardial fat is consistently associated with the presence, severity, and recurrence of AF.
Aim: The aim of the work was to investigate the association of epicardial adipose tissue thickness with left atrial size in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 25 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and 25 subjects with normal sinus rhythm as a control group matched in body weight. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiogram. EAT (epicardial adipose tissue) thickness was measured on the right ventricular free wall of the two- dimensional parasternal long-axis view at end systole.
Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in waist circumference, EAT (epicardial adipose tissue) thickness, left atrium diameter, LA volume. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis showed that an EAT thickness of > 0.30 cm maximizes the sensitivity and specificity to predict the development of AF.
Conclusion: Increases epicardial adipose tissue is associated with the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.
Keywords: Epicardial, adipose tissue, atrium, size, fibrillation.