Cardiac remodeling and correlation between anthropometric parameters and epicardial adipose tissue in children with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an active endocrine organ located at the surface of the heart and playing an important role in the development and progression of cardiovascular pathology. Material and methods: The study included a group of 22 children with metabolic syndrome (MS) and a group of 38 children with pre-MS. The diagnosis of MS was established according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consensus definition of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents (IDF, 2007). Anthropometric parameters and echocardiographic results were studied in detail and correlated. The study was approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee. An informed consent was obtained for all participants included in the study. Results: EAT thickness measured by echocardiography was 5,73±1,53mm in MS vs 3,87±1,25mm in pre-MS (p < 0,05). Furthermore, EAT thickness demonstrated a strong correlation with abdominal index, abdominal-gluteal index, body mass index, left ventricular mass index, left ventricular hypertrophy and abnormal geometric changes of the left ventricle related to ventricular remodeling. At the same time, EAT thickness showed no distinct correlation with abdominal circumference, gluteal circumference and left ventricular mass in both groups. Conclusions: Epicardial adipose tissue represents an indirect, safe, accessible marker of visceral adiposity assessment. The study results also demonstrate a direct correlation between increased epicardial adipose tissue and abnormal left ventricular parameters as well as ventricular remodeling.