Correlation between epicardial fat thickness with intima-media thickness and ankle-brachial index in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background An increase in epicardial fat thickness (EFT) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and the development of atherosclerosis. Transthoracic echo-cardiography provides a reliable measurement of EFT. We evaluated the relationship of EFT with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and ankle-brachial index (ABI), in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Prehypertension is associated with peripheral arterial disease and low ankle-brachial index.

Unlabelled: Patients with prehypertension suffer endothelial dysfunction and are at increased cardiovascular risk. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) constitutes an efficient tool for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease; but also an ABI<0.9 is an independent and positive predictor of endothelial dysfunction and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality.

Correlation between epicardial fat thickness and biochemical markers of metabolic risk.

Introduction And Objective: Epicardial fat has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and the development of atherosclerosis. Transthoracic echocardiography provides a reliable measurement of epicardial fat thickness (EFT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between EFT and biochemical parameters of metabolic risk.