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The Influence of Pericardial Fat on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

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05 December 2023

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07 December 2023

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Abstract
Background: Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; left ventricular diastolic dysfunction plays a leading role in this clinical context. Diastolic dysfunction may be predisposed by increased abdominal fat and, consequently, increased pericardial and epicardial adiposity. This study aimed to determine whether pericardial and epicardial fat are associated with left ventricular diastolic function. Methods: 82 patients had their abdominal circumference measured and underwent transthoracic echocardiography to measure the thickness of pericardial and epicardial fat and assess the left ventricular diastolic function. Two groups were created based on mean pericardial fat thickness (4.644 mm) and were related to abdominal circumference and echocardiographic parameters. Results: Subjects in the PF High group showed a significant decrease in septal e' (p<0.0001), lateral e' (p<0.0001) and E/A ratio (p=0.003) and a significant increase in E/e' ratio (p<0. 0001), E wave deceleration time (p=0. 013), left atrial volume (p<0.0001), LV mass (p=0.003), tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (p<0.0001) and LV diameter (p=0.014) compared to the PF Low group. Conclusions: Measurement of abdominal circumference, pericardial and epicardial fat is an early indicator of diastolic changes with transthoracic echocardiography being the gold standard exam.
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Subject: Medicine and Pharmacology  -   Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems

1. Introduction

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic disease that results from the inability of the heart to perform its functions properly. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction plays a leading role in this clinical context (1–4).
The importance of early assessment of LV diastolic function in the prevention of adverse outcomes has been discussed in several studies (1–4). The realization that approximately half of individuals with signs and symptoms of heart failure do not have systolic dysfunction but diastolic dysfunction has highlighted the need for assertive and timely diagnosis of this clinical condition (5,6). LV diastolic dysfunction is usually defined as abnormal left ventricular relaxation, which can be assessed and quantified using echocardiographic measurements and algorithms included in the American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) guidelines (7,8).
Obesity is also a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is an independent risk factor for the development of heart disease. The increase and abnormal distribution of visceral fat in the myocardium and arteries has a strong correlation with cardiovascular disease (9,10). Pericardial fat, as described in several references, is fat that accumulates in the pericardium. When excessive, it compresses the myocardium, leading to reduced distensibility and consequent cardiac remodeling, resulting in diastolic dysfunction (10). Individuals with a high body mass index and obesity are therefore more likely to develop diastolic dysfunction (11,12). Given the pathophysiology of these conditions, there may be an association between abdominal circumference, pericardial fat, epicardial fat, and LV diastolic dysfunction. Several studies have been carried out to assess this relationship.
Currently, the most effective way to diagnose diastolic dysfunction is by transthoracic echocardiography using two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography. For the assessment of diastolic function, the ASE/EACVI (8) has developed two diagnostic algorithms based on echocardiographic parameters. These include E/A ratio (LV filling pattern by pulsed Doppler), septal e' velocity and lateral e' velocity (LV relaxation velocity by tissue Doppler in the mitral annulus), left atrial volume (LAV), tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRJV) and E/e' ratio (ratio of LV filling to LV relaxation)(8). Diagnosis is performed using two algorithms, one for individuals with preserved ejection fraction and another for individuals with reduced ejection fraction. In both algorithms, the diagnosis is made by assessing four echocardiographic parameters with their respective cut-off values: E/e'>14, septal e' velocity <7 cm/s or lateral e' velocity <10 cm/s, VJTR>2.8 m/s and LAV > 34 ml/m2. Pulsed Doppler is also used to assess transmitral flow in individuals with reduced ejection fraction, for a better understanding of ventricular filling, which is translated by the E/A ratio (where the E wave corresponds to slow filling and the A wave to atrial contraction)(8).
In a study conducted by De Wit-Verheggen VHW et al (2020), magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure pericardial fat in healthy individuals. The participants were divided into two groups based on their pericardial fat levels, which were then correlated with their diastolic function assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. The study revealed significant changes in certain parameters such as E/e', E/A, septal e', and lateral e', which may be related to LV relaxation and filling. However, the study also found an unexpected decrease in LAV, instead of the expected increase in the presence of diastolic dysfunction. The authors suggest that this may be due to a limitation in the increase of LA caused by excessive pericardial fat. They concluded that the presence of pericardial fat alters some echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction, but further research is needed to fully understand this condition (1).
Ma W et al (2021) conducted a study to evaluate the pericardial fat thickness and LV diastolic function in healthy subjects using transthoracic echocardiography. The study included two fat measurements: EFT1, taken at the length of the aortic root line perpendicular to the right ventricular free wall, and EFT2, taken at the maximum fat thickness perpendicular to the right ventricular free wall, both measured in end-diastole. The results showed that patients with higher EFT1 had an increase in E/e', and E/A and a decrease in septal e' and lateral e', indicating a correlation between pericardial fat and diastolic dysfunction. Furthermore, an independent negative correlation was observed between patients with higher EFT2 and a decrease in mean e', suggesting a greater correlation between maximal thickness measured perpendicular to the right ventricular free wall and diastolic dysfunction. The authors concluded that more attention should be paid to this type of fat (2).
Despite the significant interest in the subject, there have been few studies conducted to determine which echocardiographic parameters related to diastolic dysfunction change in the presence of increased pericardial and epicardial fat. This study aims to establish a correlation between abdominal circumference and pericardial and epicardial fat and the latter with LV diastolic performance so that, in the future, it will be possible to predict the development of diastolic dysfunction and consequent diastolic heart failure based on the measurement of abdominal circumference and pericardial and epicardial fat. These measurements are often underestimated and ignored in transthoracic echocardiography. In this study, we used routine transthoracic echocardiography to measure all echocardiographic parameters associated with diastolic function and then related them with the thickness of pericardial and epicardial fat, and the latter with the abdominal circumference (1–4).

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Design

This study is cross-sectional, observational, prospective, and quantitative, with a non-probabilistic sample by rational choice, therefore including all individuals who underwent an echocardiographic study for convenience in the echocardiography laboratory of the cardiology service of a local health unit in the central region of Portugal. All individuals with systolic dysfunction, cardiomyopathies, significant valvular pathology, or those with intracardiac devices were excluded from the study. Considering the above criteria, a sample of 82 individuals was collected.

2.2. Protocol

The data collection procedure was carried out in two distinct phases: the first phase involved the measurement of abdominal circumference with a tape measure and the second phase involved transthoracic echocardiography using a Toshiba® model Xario device with a 2.4 - 4.5 MHz frequency transducer.
The abdominal circumference was measured around the abdomen just above the navel. To standardize the method, obtain more accurate measurements, and reduce bias, this measurement was always performed by the same professional (13–15).
A transthoracic echocardiogram was then performed according to the latest ASE/EACVI guidelines to measure pericardial fat and assess its functionality (16). Pericardial fat and epicardial fat were measured through the parasternal long-axis window in the region of the free wall of the right ventricle, both in end-systole and using the average of three consecutive beats (17).
The remaining echocardiographic measurements were indexed to the individual's surface area, so LVEF was determined using the biplanar Simpson method, and end-diastolic diameter and LV mass were determined using the M mode. The E wave, DT, and E/A ratio were measured using pulsed Doppler with the cursor perpendicular to the mitral annulus and the sample positioned at the end of the mitral leaflets. LAV was quantified using the biplanar method. To measure septal e' and lateral e', two techniques were used simultaneously, namely pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler, with the cursor positioned at the intersection of the interventricular septum and mitral annulus and the intersection of the LV lateral wall and mitral annulus, respectively. In this way, it was also possible to obtain the E/e' ratio. Continuous Doppler was used to measure TRJV by aligning the cursor with the tricuspid regurgitant jet and recording its maximum velocity. The diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction was made using the ASE/EACVI guidelines' algorithm for individuals with preserved ejection fraction. To confirm this diagnosis, at least three of the four echocardiographic parameters needed to be positive: LAV, E/e' ratio, lateral e' or septal e', and TRJV (8).
After collecting all variables, the sample was divided into two groups based on mean pericardial fat thickness: low (PF low) and high (PF high), using a threshold of 4.644 mm for better comparison.
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Figure 1. Sample division into two groups based on mean pericardial fat thickness.
Figure 1. Sample division into two groups based on mean pericardial fat thickness.
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2.3. Study Variables

To achieve the study's objective, we gathered various quantitative echocardiographic variables, including the diameter of the pericardial and epicardial fat, LAV, LVEF, E/A ratio, E/e' ratio, E-wave velocity, TRJV, DT, septal e', lateral e', LV mass, and LV end-diastolic diameter. Sample elements, such as sex, race, age, weight, height, BMI, and waist circumference were also collected to help characterize the data.

2.4. Statistical

To assess the normality of the sample distribution, we used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test. We conducted the T-Student test to compare the two groups of pericardial fat with quantitative echocardiographic variables, including E wave, DT, septal e', lateral e', E/e' ratio, LAV, Ejection fraction, Mass of LV and LV diameter. Additionally, we used the Mann-Whitney test to compare the E/A ratio and TRJV. The Spearman correlation test was used to investigate the associations between abdominal circumference and pericardial and epicardial fat, as well as between echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function and both fats under study. To better understand the relationship between the prevalence of diastolic function diagnosis and the two groups of pericardial fat, we performed a Chi-square test.
For the statistical treatment of qualitative variables, a descriptive analysis was carried out using relative (%), absolute (n) frequencies, and measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation).
The data obtained from the sample was analyzed and processed using IBM SPSS Statistics® (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 27, a statistical analysis software. A p-value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant for all tests.

2.5. Ethic

The research work began after obtaining from the Ethics Committee of the Cardiology Service where the study was conducted, with approval number 98/2022. This study has strictly adhered to ethical principles and ensured the confidentiality of all data, results, and interpretations. Personal data was collected only when necessary for the study, and all information gathered was treated as confidential. The data collected was solely used for academic purposes within the context of the research.
The research team declares that it has no conflicts of interest and is committed to respecting the principles expressed in the Declaration of Helsinki. This research does not have any profit or commercial purposes.

3. Results

The study sample consists of 82 Caucasian individuals, corresponding to 39 female individuals (47.6%) and 43 male individuals (52.4%).
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Graph 1. Distribution of Individuals by Sex.
Graph 1. Distribution of Individuals by Sex.
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After analyzing the age distribution of all individuals, it was discovered that their ages ranged from 20 to 78 years, with an average age of 58.04±2.81 years. The majority of individuals, n=29 (35.4%), were found to be in the age group of 60 to 69 years old.
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Graph 2. Characterization of the Prevalence of Various Age Groups.
Graph 2. Characterization of the Prevalence of Various Age Groups.
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Regarding the physical characteristics of the individuals, their average weight was 79.56±25.83 kg, with the highest weight being 175 kg and the lowest being 45 kg. Their average height was 164.85±9.504 cm, with the tallest person being 198 cm and the shortest being 147 cm. The average BMI was 29.17±8.49 kg/m², with the highest being 68.68 kg/m² and the lowest being 18.29 kg/m². Among the BMI classes, overweight was the most common, accounting for 36.6% of the sample (n=30).
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Graph 3. Distribution of Individuals by Age Groups.
Graph 3. Distribution of Individuals by Age Groups.
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3.1. Abdominal Perimeter and Pericardial and Epicardial Fat

Out of a total of 82 individuals, 45 belong to the PF Low group, which accounts for 54.9% of the total. The remaining 37 individuals belong to the PF High group, which accounts for 45.1% of the total. On average, the PF Low group had a pericardial fat thickness of 3.1 mm (± 0.9 mm), with a minimum value of 1.4 mm and a maximum of 4.5 mm. The same group also had an average epicardial fat thickness of 3.6 mm (± 1.4 mm), with a maximum of 7.1 mm and a minimum of 1.5 mm. The PF High group had an average pericardial fat thickness of 6.5 mm (± 1.8 mm), with a minimum value of 4.7 mm and a maximum of 11.6 mm. The average epicardial fat thickness for this group was 7.1 mm (± 2.6 mm), with a maximum of 13.1 mm and a minimum of 2.1 mm. In addition, the sample had an average abdominal circumference of 94.8 cm (± 13.3 cm), with a maximum of 125 cm and a minimum of 64 cm.
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Graph 4. Distribution of Pericardial Fat and Epicardial Fat Thickness by the Two Groups.
Graph 4. Distribution of Pericardial Fat and Epicardial Fat Thickness by the Two Groups.
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3.2. Association between Abdominal Circumference and Age Group

An analysis was conducted to better understand the relationship between abdominal circumference and age for each sex. Graph 5 displays the distribution of average abdominal circumference by age group and sex.
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Graph 5. Distribution of Abdominal Perimeter by Age.
Graph 5. Distribution of Abdominal Perimeter by Age.
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3.3. Relationship between Pericardial Fat and Abdominal Circumference

According to Graph 6, individuals belonging to the PF High had an average abdominal circumference value of 101.07cm, while those belonging to the PF Low had an average value of 89.62cm. This difference was found to be statistically significant with a p-value <0.0001.
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Graph 6. Relationship between the Abdominal Perimeter and the Two Groups of Pericardial Fat.
Graph 6. Relationship between the Abdominal Perimeter and the Two Groups of Pericardial Fat.
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3.4. Assessment of echocardiographic variables and pericardial fat

According to Table 1, individuals in the PF High had an average DT of 0.213 ms, while those in the PF Low had an average of 0.184 ms. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.013). The same trend was observed in the E/e' ratio, where individuals with high levels of pericardial fat had a higher mean value (8.48) compared to those with low levels (6.40). This difference was also statistically significant (p<0.0001).
The high pericardial fat group had an average E/A ratio of 0.94, while the low pericardial fat group had an average E/A ratio of 1.10, indicating a statistically significant difference (p=0.003).
The study found that individuals in the PF High group had lower mean values of septal e' (6.6405 cm/s) and lateral e' (10.1162 cm/s compared to those in the PF Low (9.5778 cm/s and 13.2267 cm/s). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001 and p<0.0001).
Based on the observations made, it was found that individuals categorized as PF High had a higher LAV, with an average of 41.32 ml/m², compared to the PF Low group, whose average was 32.8 ml/m². This difference was statistically significant. A similar trend was found in TRJV, where individuals belonging to the PF High group exhibited an average of 2.65 cm/s, while those belonging to the PF Low group displayed an average of 2.32 cm/s. This difference was also found to be statistically significant with a p-value of less than 0.0001.
When monitored, both LV diameter and LV mass showed statistically significant differences (p=0.014 and p=0.003) between the two groups. The group with high levels of pericardial fat had an average LV diameter and LV mass of 54.8892 mm and 183.57 g, respectively. On the other hand, the group with low levels of pericardial fat had an average LV diameter of 52.0711 mm and an LV mass of 149.64 g.
In terms of LVEF, it was found that the group with high levels of pericardial fat had slightly lower mean values compared to the group with low levels of pericardial fat. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.093). A similar trend was observed for the echocardiographic parameter E, where the mean value was higher in the group with low levels of pericardial fat compared to the group with high levels of pericardial fat, but this difference was also not statistically significant (p=0.359).

3.5. Association between Abdominal Circumference and Pericardial and Epicardial Fat Thickness

The Spearman correlation test was also used to understand better the association between abdominal circumference and pericardial and epicardial fat.
In Graph 7, we can see a clear correlation between the abdominal circumference and the amount of fat around the heart. This is shown through a scatter plot, where abdominal circumference is the independent variable (x) and pericardial fat and epicardial fat are the dependent variables (y) in Image A and B, respectively. The blue dots on the graph represent the measurements of the abdominal circumference and fat around the heart for each individual. By using the straight line, we can observe that as the abdominal circumference increases, both pericardial fat and epicardial fat also increase. These changes are statistically significant (p<0.0001).
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Graph 7. Association between Abdominal Perimeter and Pericardial (A) and Epicardial (B) Fat. Legend: Graph 7 corresponds to the correlation between abdominal perimeter and pericardial fat (image A) and the correlation between abdominal perimeter and epicardial fat (image B).
Graph 7. Association between Abdominal Perimeter and Pericardial (A) and Epicardial (B) Fat. Legend: Graph 7 corresponds to the correlation between abdominal perimeter and pericardial fat (image A) and the correlation between abdominal perimeter and epicardial fat (image B).
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3.6. Association of echocardiographic variables with pericardial fat VS epicardial fat

In Table 2, we present the characterization of the echocardiographic variables that were studied, including the E/A ratio, E, DT, TRJV, LV diameter, septal e', lateral e', E/e' ratio, LAV, LVEF, and LV mass. These variables were analyzed concerning the pericardial and epicardial fat of all individuals. To better understand this association, the Spearman correlation test was used.
It has been observed that an increase in pericardial fat leads to a significant increase in the variables DT, E/e', LAV, LV mass, TRJV, and LV diameter. This indicates a positive correlation between pericardial fat and these variables. Conversely, a decrease in E/A, e' septal, and e' lateral has also been observed, indicating a negative correlation between these variables and pericardial fat.
An increase in epicardial fat showed a positive correlation with variables such as E/e', LAV, LV mass, TRJV, and LV diameter. On the other hand, it showed a negative correlation with E/A, e' septal, and e' lateral.
In Table 2, we can observe the significance, correlation, and degree of correlation between the studied echocardiographic variables and both types of fats.

3.7. Assessment between pericardial fat and the diagnosis of DD

In Graph 8, the correlation between the diagnosis of diastolic function and two groups of pericardial fat is demonstrated. To analyze this relationship in a better way, the Chi-square test was utilized. The graph shows the number of individuals diagnosed with normal, undetermined diastolic function, and diastolic dysfunction. It also highlights the significance that exists between both groups.
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Graph 8. Relationship between the Two Groups of Pericardial Fat and Diastolic Function Diagnosis.
Graph 8. Relationship between the Two Groups of Pericardial Fat and Diastolic Function Diagnosis.
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4. Discussion

Pericardial fat thickness is an essential measurement in transthoracic echocardiography that sometimes goes overlooked. It's crucial for clinicians, as it indicates cardiovascular risk. Increased pericardial fat thickness predisposes individuals to heart disease due to its accumulation around the heart, leading to a barrier to normal myocardial function and cardiac remodeling. Pericardial fat is an independent risk factor that can lead to the development of diastolic dysfunction. There is also a direct correlation between abdominal circumference and pericardial fat thickness, which can affect LV diastolic function. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of an increasing abdominal circumference on pericardial and epicardial thickness and the subsequent effect on LV diastolic function.

4.1. Sample characterization

The participants in this study were evenly split between genders and across pericardial fat groups. The majority of participants were older, with the most common age range being 60-69. This is likely due to the increased need for healthcare in this age group. Additionally, most participants were overweight, which is a common characteristic of the population in this region. These findings align with data from the 2018 Central Region health profile, which showed a high prevalence of overweight individuals in the area (18).

4.2. Association of abdominal circumference with age in male and female

The study also analyzed waist circumference, which was found to be greater in participants with higher levels of pericardial and epicardial fat. Results showed that abdominal circumference increased with age in both sexes, with males having higher index values. This is in line with previous research by Jennifer L Kuk et al. (2005), which suggests that metabolic changes that occur with age may explain this trend. The study also noted that hormonal differences between genders contribute to differences in abdominal circumference, which justifies the need for different cut-offs for males and females (19,20).

4.3. Relationship between pericardial fat and abdominal Circumference

As per the literature and the results obtained, a significant increase in abdominal circumference was observed in individuals belonging to the PF High group. This can be explained by the decrease in the production of adiponectin, which is a stabilizing hormone that inhibits NF-kB, in the presence of an increase in visceral fat. Due to this decrease, the activation of NF-kB increases, which leads to the production of TNF-a, causing more local inflammation and molecular aggregation. As a result, there is an increase in fat around the heart with an increase in visceral fat (21).
Several studies have found a positive correlation between abdominal circumference and pericardial and epicardial fat. This correlation confirms that waist circumference can be a predictive factor for increased fat around the heart (22,23).

4.4. Assessment of echocardiographic variables and pericardial fat

To investigate the relationship between pericardial fat and echocardiographic parameters, two groups were compared based on their pericardial fat and echocardiographic variables. The results showed that individuals with greater pericardial fat (PF High) had significantly lower mean values of septal e', lateral e', and the E/A ratio while showing an increase in the mean values of E/e' ratio, LAV, LV mass, TRJV, and LV diameter. These findings are consistent with a similar study by Vera H. W. de Wit Verheggen et al. (2020) that also separated their sample into two PF groups, and found that higher pericardial fat thickness influences some of the parameters of LV diastolic function, leading to a decrease in the mean values of septal e', lateral e', and the E/A ratio, as well as an increase in the E/e' ratio, LAV, LV mass, and LV diameter (1,11).
The E/e' ratio, septal e', and lateral e' are echocardiographic parameters that indicate the speed of left ventricular (LV) relaxation, which decreases due to some compressive condition affecting normal functioning, thus reducing its speed (11,24). It is credible to assume that deregulation in the production of anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic cells, deficiency in the mediating enzyme of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the migration of fibrosis-inducing cells are the mechanisms behind the development of atherosclerosis and consequent myocardial dysfunction. This suggests that the fat surrounding the heart could potentially trigger cardiovascular diseases. The compression of epicardial and pericardial fat on the myocardium has a significant impact on ventricular relaxation, leading to cardiac remodeling (25).
The E/A ratio and DT are two crucial parameters used to measure ventricular filling. When pericardial fat increases, both of these parameters tend to decrease and increase, respectively. Several studies by Vera H. W. de Wit Verheggen et al. (2020)(1) and Iacobellis et al. (2007)(26) reaffirm these results. According to Jin Seok Kim et al. (2021)(27), the E/A ratio decreases due to excess fat, which exerts a compressive mechanical force on the LV, affecting its normal relaxation. This leads to an increase in pressure within the LV at the start of diastole, which affects the filling of the LV, causing slower passive filling (E wave) and faster active filling (A wave). This, in turn, increases the volume retained in the LA, leading to atrial dilatation. The increase in pressure also prolongs passive filling, increasing DT(27,28). The infiltration of epicardial fat in the auricular wall not only predisposes the cavity to enlargement but also to the development of atrial fibrillation (29).
As a result of the increased difficulty that the right ventricle faces in overcoming the increase in pulmonary pressures during systole, the condition also affects the TRJV. As LV diastolic dysfunction worsens, the tricuspid reflux velocity increases progressively, making it a good marker of the hemodynamic impact of deficient left ventricular relaxation (30).
According to the study, individuals in the PF High group showed higher mean values of LV mass and LV diameter. This finding is consistent with another investigation published in 2021. The study explains that this relationship is due to the predisposition of these individuals to have greater blood volume because of the higher metabolic demand they face. This, in turn, leads to greater cardiac output (31). The increase in ventricular mass occurs as a result of the need to compensate for underlying hemodynamic changes, an increase in LV volume due to an increase in afterload, and as an adaptive mechanism in the face of changes in diastolic function. These changes are characteristic of individuals with high abdominal circumference (32).
The study also tested the relationship between systolic function and pericardial fat. Although LVEF showed lower mean values among individuals with higher pericardial fat, the relationship was not statistically significant between groups. This is unlike the findings of Gijs Van Woerden et al. (2018)(33) who concluded that there is a statistically significant correlation between pericardial fat and LVEF. The author explains that while there is a decrease in cardiac output as a result of deficient ventricular filling (33,34), fat produces high amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines due to its contact with the cardiac surface. This results in damage to the myocardial cells. Additionally, fat promotes the abundance of free fatty acids, which, when integrated into the myocardial cell, promote toxic metabolism, leading to cell apoptosis (lipotoxicity) (35,36). One possible explanation for the difference in results found in various studies could be that the values of pericardial fat thickness in the sample were lower than those found in other studies.
The relationship between fat and systolic ventricular function has been studied over time. Recently, a study using speckle tracking (transthoracic echocardiogram modality) tested the correlation between fat and systolic ventricular function in individuals with preserved left ventricular function. The results revealed a positive correlation between the two (37,38).

4.5. Association of echocardiographic variables with pericardial fat VS epicardial fat

The study aimed to examine the relationship between pericardial and epicardial fat and echocardiographic variables. The analysis showed that pericardial fat had a strong correlation with nine echocardiographic variables, including DT, E/e', LAV, LV Mass, TRJV, and LV Diam, which increased significantly, and E/A, septal e', and lateral e', which decreased significantly. Similarly, epicardial fat was found to have a statistically significant correlation with eight echocardiographic variables, including E/e', LAV, LV Mass, TRJV, and LV Diam, which increased significantly, and E/A, septal e', and lateral e', which decreased significantly. These findings suggest that pericardial fat has a greater impact on echocardiographic variables related to diastolic function, while epicardial fat has a greater influence on left ventricular systolic function.
The results of this study are consistent with the findings of Vera H. W. de Wit Verheggen et al. (2020)(1), who explained that pericardial fat exerts compressive mechanisms on ventricular relaxation due to its location. In contrast, Banafsheh Arshi et al. (2023) stated that epicardial fat, which is closer to the myocardium, affects systolic function due to the pro-inflammatory cytokines it releases in the myocardium, in addition to its effect on diastolic function. While LVEF was not statistically significant in this study, its values decreased substantially when correlated with epicardial fat, compared to when correlated with pericardial fat (38).

4.6. Assessment between pericardial fat and the diagnosis of DD

The study found a correlation between pericardial fat and the diagnosis of diastolic function. The PF High group had a significantly higher percentage (45.9%) of individuals diagnosed with diastolic dysfunction compared to the PF Low group (6.7%). The majority of the PF Low group (93.3%) had a normal or undetermined diastolic function.

4.7. Limitations

The investigation was limited by insufficient information on participant history, risk factors, and medication use, as well as a lack of age differentiation, which could impact results.

5. Conclusions

Individuals with higher levels of pericardial fat tend to have a larger abdominal circumference, indicating poorer LV diastolic performance. Monitoring the abdominal circumference can thus help identify a higher concentration of fat around the heart (pericardial and epicardial fat), which in turn can be an early warning sign of possible changes in diastole. The good news is that measuring the abdominal circumference is a simple task for clinicians, and transthoracic echocardiography is the most accurate way to assess the amount of fat surrounding the heart. By adopting this practice, healthcare providers can help prevent the development and progression of diastolic heart failure. This not only has a direct impact on the future quality of life of these individuals but also reduces the burden on healthcare systems. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that pericardial fat has a greater impact on LV diastolic function compared to epicardial fat. However, it is important to consider both types of fat as a risk factor for heart failure. Although the study found some evidence regarding the LVEF, further research is required to explore the impact of epicardial fat on systolic function.

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Table 1. Relationship between Echocardiographic Variables and the Two Groups of Pericardial Fat.
Table 1. Relationship between Echocardiographic Variables and the Two Groups of Pericardial Fat.
Total Population (n=82) PF Low (n=45) PF High (n=37) (p-value)
E (cm/s) * 67,879 ± 16,57 69,41 ± 11,92 66,01 ± 20,92 p=0,359
DT (ms) * 0,198 ± 0,0532 0,185 ± 0,039 0,213 ± 0,063 p=0,0,13
E/A ** 1,030 ± 0,426 1,10 ± 0,34 0,94 ± 0,50 p= 0,003
septal e' (cm/s) * 8,252 ± 2,449 9,57 ± 2,167 6,64 ± 1,70 P<0,0001
lateral e' (cm/s) * 11,823 ± 3,201 13,23 ± 3,30 10,11 ± 2,06 P<0,0001
E/e' * 7,339 ± 2,620 6,40 ± 2,01 8,48 ± 2,83 P<0,0001
LAV (ml/m2) * 36,648 ± 8,332 32,80 ± 4,97 41,329 ± 9,22 P<0,0001
LVEF (%) * 65,57 ± 5,624 66,52 ± 4,99 64,42 ± 6,18 p=0,093
LV Mass (g) * 164,95 ± 52,338 149,64 ± 34,082 183,57 ± 63,99 p=0,003
TRJV (cm/s) ** 2,466 ± 0,294 2,32 ± 0,22 2,65 ± 0,26 P<0,0001
LV Diameter (mm) * 53,342 ± 5,197 52,07 ± 4,029 54,889 ± 6,037 p=0,014
Legend: * (T-Student test), ** (Mann-Whitney test), E/A ratio (E/A), E-curve velocity of transmitral flow (E), E-curve deceleration time (DT), relaxation velocity in the septum (e' septal), relaxation velocity in the lateral wall (e' lateral), E/e' ratio (E/e'), left atrial volume (LAV), tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (TRJV), left ventricular diameter (LV diameter), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass (LV mass).
Table 2. Association between Echocardiographic Variables and Pericardial and Epicardial Fat.
Table 2. Association between Echocardiographic Variables and Pericardial and Epicardial Fat.
Pericardial Fat Epicardial Fat
Correlação Grau de Correlação (p- value) Correlação Grau de Correlação (p- value)
E (cm/s) -0,053 Non-Significant p=0,633 0,032 Non-Significant p=0,776
DT (ms) 0,222 Low p=0,045 0,208 Non-Significant p=0,061
E/A -0,363 Moderate p=0,001 -0,403 Moderate p<0,0001
septal e' (cm/s) -0,686 High p<0,0001 -0,731 High p<0,0001
lateral e' (cm/s) -0,630 High p<0,0001 -0,662 High p<0,0001
E/e' 0,494 Moderate p<0,0001 0,592 High p<0,0001
LAV (ml/m2) 0,683 High p<0,0001 0,693 High p<0,0001
LVEF (%) -0,141 Non-Significant p=0,207 -0,216 Non-Significant p=0,052
LV Mass (g) 0,359 Moderate p=0,001 0,397 Moderate p<0,0001
TRJV (cm/s) 0,629 High p<0,0001 0,610 High p<0,0001
LV Diam (mm) 0,227 Low p=0,041 0,282 Low p=0,010
Legend: E/A ratio (E/A), velocity of the transmitral flow E curve (E), E curve deceleration time (DT), relaxation velocity in the septum (e' septal), relaxation velocity in the lateral wall (lateral e'), E/e' ratio (E/e'), left atrial volume (LAV), tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (TRJV), left ventricular diameter (LV diameter), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass (LV mass).
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