Eepicardial adipose tissue volume linked to heart failure risk in Cushing’s syndrome

Epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) is a significant independent risk factor for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with Cushing’s syndrome, according to a study.

The study included 86 patients with CS and 86 matched healthy controls. Researchers measured EATV and assessed abdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass via chest CT and echocardiography. Findings showed that patients with CS had significantly higher EATV (150.33 cm³) compared to controls (90.55 cm³), with increased visceral fat and decreased skeletal muscle mass.

The prevalence of LVDD was notably higher among patients with CS, with EATV emerging as an independent risk factor for LVDD (OR = 1.015). The study determined that a cut-point of 139.252 cm³ for EATV had a diagnostic sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 55.6% for identifying LVDD in patients with CS.

These results suggest that the accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue plays a critical role in the development of LVDD in individuals with Cushing’s syndrome.

Reference
Ran CQ, Su Y, Li J, et al. Epicardial adipose tissue volume highly correlates with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. Ann Med. 2024;56(1):2387302. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2024.2387302. Epub 2024 Aug 5. PMID: 39101236.