Abstract 12066: The Distribution of Epicardial Fat Thickness by Echocardiography among Apparently Healthy Individuals: The ELSA-Brasil Cohort

Abstract

Introduction: Epicardial fat thickness has emerged as a new marker of cardiometabolic risk. However, previously reported echocardiographic studies are based on convenience samples of patients selected or referred for specialized cardiovascular testing. Objective: To describe the distribution of epicardial fat measured by echocardiography and its demographic correlates among adults free of diabetes, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome.

Methods: Of 991 randomly selected individuals undergoing echocardiography at baseline in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)- a cohort study of public employees aged 35 to 74 years old - we identified 403 individuals free of diabetes, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome. Epicardial fat thickness, measured at a central reading center, was defined as the mean of two paraesternal window measurements obtained at end systole and end diastole.

Results: The table shows that many participants (28% in systole and 76% in diastole) had undetectable epicardial fat; median (interquartile range) thickness was 1.35(0-2.33)mm and 0(0-0)mm for systolic and diastolic measures, respectively. Detectable epicardial fat thickness was more prevalent in women, less common in blacks and increased with age and body-mass index (all with P<0.01).

Conclusion: Epicardial fat was present in smaller quantity than reported in previous accounts based on selected samples. Values were higher in systole, and in those with greater BMI and waist circumference. They were lower in blacks, higher in women, and increased with age, factors which should be taken into account when defining clinical EF thickness reference values.