Correlation between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and the degree of coronary artery atherosclerosis

Abstract

Background/aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the thickness of the epicardial adipose tissue and its association with the degree of coronary artery disease in a group of autopsied cases. Materials and methods: A number of 79 cases were included in the study. Five preestablished incisions of the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) were made on each of the hearts. These five points were next to/on the path of the major coronary vessels. The degree of coronary atherosclerosis was evaluated during the autopsy. Results: The results revealed the greatest thickness of the EAT on the incision made on the anterior and posterior wall of the right ventricle. EAT was thicker in cases presenting atherosclerosis degree I or II in two of the coronary arteries, the left circumflex artery and left main artery; on the left anterior descending artery, higher EAT thickness associated with fourth degree atherosclerosis. Conclusion: Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was greater at the incision points situated on the right side of the heart. Greater EAT thickness was associated significantly with early atherosclerosis development in three of the coronary arteries (LCx, LMA, LADA).