2Department of Cardiology, Ahi Evren Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital; Trabzon-Turkey
3Clinic of Cardiology, Atatürk State Hospital; Aydın-Turkey
4Clinic of Cardiology, Çaycuma State Hospital; Zonguldak-Turkey
5Clinic of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital; Şanlıurfa-Turkey
6Clinic of Cardiology, Fatsa State Hospital; Ordu-Turkey
Abstract
Objective: Left ventricular (LV) systolic synchrony is defined as simultaneous activation of corresponding cardiac segments. Impaired synchrony has some adverse cardiovascular effects, such as LV dysfunction and impaired prognosis. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is visceral fat around the heart. Increased EFT thickness is associated with some disorders, such as LV dysfunction and hypertrophy, which play a role in the impairment of LV synchrony. However, the relationship between EFT and LV systolic synchrony has never been assessed. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between EFT and LV synchrony in this study. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 55 consecutive patients (mean age 46.4±13.4 years, 32 female) without bundle branch block (BBB). EFT and LV systolic synchrony were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography using 2D and tissue Doppler imaging. Maximal difference (Ts-6) and standard deviation (Ts-SD-6) of time to peak systolic (Ts) myocardial tissue velocity obtained from 6 LV basal segments were used to assess LV synchrony. Multiple regression analysis was used to detect the independently related factors to LV synchrony. Results: The mean values of EFT thickness, Ts-6, and Ts-SD-6 were found to be 2.7±1.6 mm (ranging from 1-7 mm), 20.1±14.2 msec, and 7.7±5.6, respectively. EFT thickness also was independently associated with Ts-6 (β=0.332, p=0.01) and Ts-SD-6 (β=0.286, p=0.04). Conclusion: EFT thickness is associated with LV systolic synchrony in patients without BBB.