Study of correlation between epicardial fat thickness and severity of coronary artery disease

Abstract

Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) reflects visceral adiposity and is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to assess the correlation of echocardiographic EFT with the severity of CAD and to determine the EFT cut-off to predict CAD. EFT was measured in 503 patients undergoing coronary angiogram. Mean EFT was significantly higher in the CAD group than control group (5.55 ± 1.21 mm vs 3.25 ± 1.15 mm, p < 0.0001). EFT correlated with Gensini score (r = 0.906, p < 0.001). EFT cut-off ≥ 4.75 mm had 87% sensitivity and 63% specificity for prediction of significant CAD (AUC: 0.831, p < 0.001).

Keywords

• Epicardial fat thickness
• Echocardiography
• Gensini score
• Coronary artery disease