Epicardial Adipose Tissue (EAT) Thickness and Its Association with BMI and Waist Circumference in Healthy Adults and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Patients

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) risk factors clustering has increases the morbidity and mortality of CAD. These factors are responsible for insulin resistance; it leads to the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), which later leads to the development of CAD. Endothelial dysfunction leads to CAD. EAT is the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) around the heart. It plays a major role in the development of MS. The aim of this study was to measure the EAT thickness through echocardiography in healthy adults and coronary artery disease patients and to determine its association with Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference.

Methodology: 156 diagnosed cases of CAD and age matched 157 asymptomatic individuals were recruited from Cardiology Department of Ziauddin Hospital for this case control study. Waist circumference and BMI were measured. Echocardiography was done for EAT thickness.

Results: CAD group had significantly higher EAT thickness as compared to controls. There was no significant difference of EAT thickness with BMI. A weak positive association of EAT thickness with BMI was found. A significant difference of EAT thickness with waist circumference was found. There was weak association of EAT with waist circumference in CAD.

Conclusion: The mean EAT thickness is significantly higher in CAD group of Karachi population. EAT thickness has weak positive association with BMI and waist circumference. Therefore, we can conclude that BMI and Waist Circumference are the indicators of generalized obesity while EAT thickness may be considered to be a true indicator of visceral obesity.