Epicardial adipose tissue is related to coronary collateral vessel formation in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Objectives. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the ectopic fat surrounding the heart, and it may contribute to coronary collateral vessel (CCV) formation. We aimed to evaluate the association of EAT with the presence of CCV in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Design. A total of 230 patients with ACS were included. The CCVs were graded according to the Rentrop scoring system, and a Rentrop grade 0–1 was accepted as low-grade CCV group, Rentrop grade 2–3 was accepted as high-grade CCV group. Results. According to angiography, 70 (30%) patients constituted the high-grade CCV group and 160 (70%) constituted the low-grade CCV group. The high-grade CCV group had thicker EAT than the low-grade CCV group (6.1 ± 1.4 vs. 5.3 ± 1.4 mm; p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that presence of CCV was independently associated with EAT thickness, ejection fraction, presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and presence of angina on admission. EAT thickness of > 5.7 mm can independently predict high-grade CCV with 73% sensitivity and 69% specificity (area under the curve or AUC: 0.65; 95% confidence interval or CI: 0.57–0.72). Conclusions. EAT thickness on admission was associated with the presence of CCVs in patients with ACS.

Key words::

• acute coronary syndrome
• coronary collateral vessel
• epicardial adipose tissue thickness

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.