Thickness and an Altered miRNA Expression in the Epicardial Adipose Tissue Is Associated With Coronary Heart Disease in Sudden Death Victims.

Introduction And Objectives: An increased epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness has become a new risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). We aimed to study the role of EAT dysfunction as a CHD marker by focusing on its thickness and microRNA (miRNA) expression profile, and the potential factors possibly influencing them.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-five CHD sudden cardiac death victims and 84 non-CHD-sudden death controls were prospectively enrolled at autopsy.