A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Epicardial adipose tissue in patients with systemic sclerosis




AuthorsWang, Xu; Butcher, Steele C; Myagmardorj, Rinchyenkhand; Liem, Sophie I E; Delgado, Victoria; Bax, Jeroen J; De Vries-Bouwstra, Jeska K; Marsan, Nina Ajmone

PublisherOxford University Press

Publication year2023

JournalEuropean heart journal. Imaging methods and practice

Journal name in sourceEuropean heart journal. Imaging methods and practice

Journal acronymEur Heart J Imaging Methods Pract

Article numberqyad037

Volume1

Issue2

eISSN2755-9637

DOIhttps://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 addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/457310518


Abstract

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.


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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.


Last updated on 2025-27-01 at 19:54