Cardiac magnetic resonance quantified epicardial fat volume is associated with complex coronary artery disease among diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial and pericardial adipose tissues are two distinct types of visceral fat in close adherence to the heart and were found to be increased among diabetics.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-quantified epicardial (EFV) and pericardial fat (PFV) volumes and the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) among diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included 111 patients having CAD as indicated by coronary angiography and who underwent CMR. Epicardial and pericardial fat volumes were measured along short-axis CMR-derived images. CAD severity and complexity were evaluated using the syntax score (SS). Patients were classified into diabetic and non-diabetic groups based on their HbA1c and were compared regarding clinical, angiographic, and CMR data. Those with high SS were compared against low/intermediate SS. The correlation of measured EFV and PFV with the SS was evaluated, and possible predictors for high-SS were assessed.

RESULTS: Diabetic patients (n = 64, 57.7%) had significantly high syntax scores, and significantly larger absolute and indexed EFV and PFV compared to non-diabetics. Both EFV and PFV showed a significant positive correlation with HbA1c and SS. EFV ≥ 119.55 ml significantly predicted high-SS (AUC = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.76-0.91, sensitivity = 77% and specificity = 82.5%) among the study population. Different cutoff points of EFV significantly predicted high SS among diabetics and non-diabetics with respective reasonable sensitivity and specificity. Age and EFV were consistently predictive of high SS on different multivariable regression models.

CONCLUSION: Increased epicardial adipose tissue was a significant independent predictor of severe and complex CAD, representing a possible risk marker and potential therapeutic target, particularly among diabetics.