Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Epicardial Lipomatosis

Year 2021, Volume: 35 Issue: 2, 191 - 199, 30.08.2021

Sedat Altay

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Epicardial lipomatosis (EL) is an increase in adipose tissue in the
epicardial space. This study aimed to evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance
imaging (CMR) findings and their effects on cardiac functions in patients with
EL.
Methods: A total of 33 adult patients with detected EL were evaluated
retrospectively. Patients were evaluated with right ventricular (RV) enddiastolic diameter (ED), RV ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular (LV) ED,
LVEF, LV stroke volume, LV cardiac output, and LV cardiac index.
Measurements were repeated intraobserver. Maximum epicardial fat thickness
(EP) was measured from the thickest place in 2 and 4 chamber images. Data
were compared with paired student t-test after the Kolmogorov-Smirnov
normality test. EP and ventricular measurements were compared using
Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results: The RVED (r = 0.39), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (r =
0.35), and LVED (r = 0.31) data showed a moderate inverse correlation to the
increased EP. A low correlation was found between the increased EP and other
functional data of the right and left ventricles (r < 0.3). Intra-observer variability
was (2.9 and 6.8%).
Conclusion: The increase in epicardial fat thickness was determined to have a
low and moderate effect on the right and left heart functions.

Keywords

Heart, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ventricular Function, Pericardium, Adipose tissue

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Epicardial Lipomatosis

Abstract

Introduction: Epicardial lipomatosis (EL) is an increase in adipose tissue in the
epicardial space. This study aimed to evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance
imaging (CMR) findings and their effects on cardiac functions in patients with
EL.
Methods: A total of 33 adult patients with detected EL were evaluated
retrospectively. Patients were evaluated with right ventricular (RV) enddiastolic diameter (ED), RV ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular (LV) ED,
LVEF, LV stroke volume, LV cardiac output, and LV cardiac index.
Measurements were repeated intraobserver. Maximum epicardial fat thickness
(EP) was measured from the thickest place in 2 and 4 chamber images. Data
were compared with paired student t-test after the Kolmogorov-Smirnov
normality test. EP and ventricular measurements were compared using
Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results: The RVED (r = 0.39), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (r =
0.35), and LVED (r = 0.31) data showed a moderate inverse correlation to the
increased EP. A low correlation was found between the increased EP and other
functional data of the right and left ventricles (r < 0.3). Intra-observer variability
was (2.9 and 6.8%).
Conclusion: The increase in epicardial fat thickness was determined to have a
low and moderate effect on the right and left heart functions.

Keywords

Heart, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Ventricular Function, Pericardium, Adipose tissue

References

• Pruente R, Restrepo CS, Ocazionez D, Suby-Long T, Vargas D. Fatty lesions in and around the heart: a pictorial review. Br J Radiol. 2015;88(1051):20150157. doi:10.1259/bjr.20150157