title: Total and interatrial epicardial adipose tissues are independently associated with left atrial remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active visceral fat, potential interaction between EAT and myocardium is strongly suggested. The aims of this study were to determine whether the amount and regional distribution of EAT are related to the chronicity of atrial fibrillation (AF) and left atrial (LA) remodeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study consisted of 40 subjects with paroxysmal AF (PAF) and 40 with persistent AF (PeAF). Eighty subjects with no history of AF were enrolled as controls. Total volume of EAT (EAT(total)), regional thickness of EAT, and LA volume (LAV) were measured by multislice computed tomography. In the AF group, blood samples were drawn from coronary sinus for analysis of inflammatory cytokines including adiponectin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with controls, AF subjects had larger LAV, EAT(total), and the thicknesses of periatrial EAT including interatrial septum (IAS). However, the thicknesses of periventricular EAT were not different between the groups. The PeAF subjects had larger LAV, EAT(total), and periatrial EAT thicknesses, higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, and lower level of adiponectin than did the PAF subjects. Adiponection level was significantly associated with EAT(total) and IAS thickness. Multivariate analysis revealed that EAT(total) (P = 0.004) and IAS thickness (P = 0.016) were independently associated with LAV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EAT(total) and thickness of periatrial EAT were significantly larger in AF subjects compared to those of the matched controls and were closely related to the chronicity of AF. Moreover, EAT(total) and IAS thickness were independently associated with LAV in subjects with AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University of College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Yong
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hwan Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Hong Euy
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jin Oh
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Na
authors.forename: Cheol Ung
authors.initials: CU
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jong Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seong Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Eung Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Weon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seung-Woon
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Rha
authors.forename: Chang Gyu
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hong Seog
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Dong Joo
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography