Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Cardiology

Background: Adipose tissue is the source of many adipokines affecting the cardiovascular system either locally or systemically. Hypertension is one of the most important conditions associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) with LV diastolic dysfunction & left atrial (LA) dimensions in patients with essential hypertension. Method: A total of 130 consecutive subjects were included in this study (30 control and 100 patients with essential hypertension). EAT thickness was measured from the parasternal long-axis view in front of the right ventricular free wall at end-diastole Results: EAT was significantly correlated with left atrial dimensions, diastolic dysfunction parameters, as well as age and blood pressure measurements. Age and EAT were significantly increased in patients with high grades of diastolic dysfunction compared to those with low values (p < 0.001). Multivariate Linear regression analysis revealed EAT was an independent predictor of all diastolic dysfunction parameters & the left atrial volume index. Conclusion: Based on our findings, increased EAT may be associated with diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement in hypertensive patients. This relationship is independent of and stronger than abdominal obesity, implicating the clinical importance of measuring EAT thickness

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