The Abundance of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Surrounding Left Atrium Is Associated With the Occurrence of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Issue 14 (April 2016) - Tsao, Hsuan-Ming
Abstract : Abstract: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is positively associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but the role of EAT in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke and its association with the anatomical and functional remodeling of the left atrium (LA) have not been elucidated. This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Twenty-seven patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF and cardioembolic stroke were selected and compared with 68 age- and sex-matched AF patients without stroke. In addition, 20 controls without a history of AF or stroke were included. The periatrial EAT and the structural and functional properties of the LA and left ventricle were evaluated using contrast-enhanced 64-slice multidetector computed tomography during sinus rhythm. Total EAT around the LA was significantly increased across the groups (control vs AF vs AF-related stroke, P < 0.001). The volumes of the LA and the LA appendage (LAA) were also significantly increased across the 3 groups ( P < 0.001 for each). The emptying fraction of the LA and LAA and the booster-pump function of the LA and LAA were all reduced across the 3 groups ( P < 0.001 for all). In addition, the Hounsfield unit (HU) ratio of the LAA to the ascending aorta (LAA/AA) was also decreased in patients with stroke ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, EAT had a negative correlation with the dynamic function of the LA, LAA, and the HU ratio. After a multivariate analysis, increased EAT ( P < 0.001) was shown to be independently associated with the occurrence of AF-related stroke. Periatrial EAT was increased and was correlated with atrial dysfunction in patients with AF-related stroke. Hence, EAT assessment may potentially offer an incremental value for grading the risk of cardioembolic stroke in patients with AF.