Meta-Analysis of Relation of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume to Left Atrial Dilation and to Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Functions

Many studies have explored the hypothesis that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) accumulation adversely affects cardiac remodeling. We assessed, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, whether EAT is linked to left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) structure and function, irrespective of global or abdominal visceral adiposity. We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies evaluating the association of EAT volume quantified by computed tomography with cardiac morphology and function. We used DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models to summarize the adjusted-effect of 10 ml variation of EAT on LA size, LV mass, LV diastolic and systolic functions parameters, and presence of diastolic dysfunction. We quantified heterogeneity using I² statistic. We included 19 studies. Quantitative analysis by cardiac parameters, including LA dimension (n = 2,719), LV mass (n = 2,519), diastolic function (n = 3,741), and systolic function (n = 2,037) showed that EAT was associated with LA dilation (pooled B-coefficient: 0.12 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08 to 0.17; I²: 97%), LV hypertrophy (pooled B-coefficient: 1.21 g; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.79; I²: 77%), diastolic dysfunction (odds ratio: 1.35; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.57; I²: 0%), higher E/E' ratio (pooled B-coefficient: 0.28 cm/s; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.49; I²: 67%), lower E' velocity (pooled B-coefficient: -0.16 cm/s; 95% CI -0.22 to -0.09; I²: 43%), and E/A ratio (pooled B-coefficient: -0.01; 95% CI -0.02 to -0.001; I²: 70%), independently of body mass index. There was no association between EAT and LV systolic function. In conclusion, EAT volume measured by computed tomography was independently associated with LA dilation, LV hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction.