Diabetes Metab J.  2015 Oct;39(5):405-413. 10.4093/dmj.2015.39.5.405.

Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity

• Song DK
• Hong YS
• Lee H
• Oh JY
• Sung YA
• Kim Y

• KMID: 2174014
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2015.39.5.405

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is suggested to play an important role in the progression of metabolic syndrome. We aimed to establish a simple method to measure EAT and examine the differences in EAT thickness according to the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity.
METHODS
A total of 94 patients (42.6% type 2 diabetes mellitus, 53.2% obese, mean age 61+/-13) who underwent multidetector computed tomography were enrolled. Thickness of EAT was measured on the parasternal short and horizontal long axis view. Epicardial fat area (EFA) was measured at the level of left main coronary artery (LMCA).
RESULTS
All EAT thicknesses were correlated with EFA at the LMCA level (r=0.235 to 0.613, all Ps<0.05), and EAT thickness in the left atrioventricular groove (LAVG) had the highest correlation coefficient (r=0.613). EFA, and EAT thicknesses in the LAVG and the left ventricular apex were higher in the group with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in the group without type 2 diabetes mellitus when adjusted only for body mass index. When adjusted only for type 2 diabetes mellitus, EFA, and EAT thicknesses in the LAVG and the right atrioventricular groove were higher in obese group than in nonobese group.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, EAT thickness can be easily measured and represent EFA. EAT thickness, especially in LAVG, was higher in groups with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity independently. These findings implicate that EAT thickness may be a useful indicator for type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.

Keyword

Adipose tissue; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue*
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Body Mass Index
Coronary Vessels
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
Humans
Multidetector Computed Tomography
Obesity*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Epicardial adipose tissue was measured using multidetector computed tomography. (A) Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was measured on the parasternal short axis view. (B) Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was measured on the horizontal long axis view. (C) Epicardial fat area was measured at the left main coronary artery level. SIVG, superior interventricular groove; IIVG, inferior interventricular groove; LAVG, left atrioventricular groove; RAVG, right atrioventricular groove; AIVG, anterior interventricular groove.

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