A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Epicardial adipose tissue in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Wang, Xu; Butcher, Steele C; Myagmardorj, Rinchyenkhand; Liem, Sophie I E; Delgado, Victoria; Bax, Jeroen J; De Vries-Bouwstra, Jeska K; Marsan, Nina Ajmone
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication year: 2023
Journal: European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice
Journal name in source: European heart journal. Imaging methods and practice
Journal acronym: Eur Heart J Imaging Methods Pract
Article number: qyad037
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
eISSN: 2755-9637
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjimp/qyad037
Web address : https://academic.oup.com/ehjimp/article/1/2/qyad037/7339803?login=true
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457310518
Aims: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has emerged as a mediator between systemic inflammatory disorders and cardiovascular disease, and may therefore play a role in the pathophysiology of cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between EAT and left ventricular (LV) function, and to determine the prognostic value of EAT in patients with SSc.
Methods and results: Consecutive patients with SSc who underwent non-contrast thorax computed tomography and echocardiography were included. EAT mass was quantified using dedicated software. The study endpoint was all-cause mortality. A total of 230 SSc patients (age 53 ± 15 years, 14% male) were included. The median value of EAT mass was 67 g (interquartile range: 45-101 g). Patients with increased EAT mass (≥67 g) showed more impaired LV diastolic function as compared with patients with less EAT mass (<67 g), and even after adjusting for age and comorbidities, EAT mass was independently associated with LV diastolic function parameters. During a median follow-up of 8 years, 42 deaths occurred. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with increased EAT mass had higher all-cause mortality rate as compared with patients with less EAT mass (29% vs. 7%; P < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, EAT was independently associated with all-cause mortality after adjusting for important covariates (HR: 1.006; 95% CI: 1.001-1.010).
Conclusion: In patients with SSc, EAT is independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction and higher mortality rate.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
S.C.B. received funding from European Society of Cardiology (ESC Research Grant App000080404). X.W.is supported by a research grant from the University of Turku.