Echocardiographic epicardial adipose tissue thickness and coronary artery disease: a population-specific analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), but whether this relationship is linear and consistent across different demographic and metabolic subgroups remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the dose-response pattern of this association and to examine its variation across key demographic and metabolic subgroups. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1,021 consecutive symptomatic patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and echocardiography. EAT thickness was measured at end-systole using transthoracic echocardiography. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between EAT thickness and CAD, and a trend analysis was performed by categorizing EAT thickness into quartiles. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was performed to further characterize the dose-response relationship and test the linearity assumption. Interaction analyses were conducted to identify potential effect modifiers, and stratified analyses were additionally performed according to sex, age, hypertension, smoking status, HbA1c level, and HDL-C level. Results: . Descriptive findings also suggested that the association was stronger among males, older adults (≥55 years), individuals with hypertension, non-smokers, and those with HDL-C ≥1.04 mmol/L. Conclusions: . Routine echocardiographic assessment of EAT thickness may help identify individuals at higher CAD risk, particularly among those with a normal BMI.
Language: English
Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7221831229