Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness as a Predictor for Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

The aim of the study was to determine whether epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT), a new cardiometabolic risk factor, is associated with essential hypertension. The sample included 127 asymptomatic patients with one or more cardiovascular risk factors consecutively referred for cardiac computed tomography angiography. Data were collected retrospectively and compared between hypertensive (n=39) and normotensive (n=88) patients. The hypertensive patients had a significantly higher mean EAT thickness than the normotensive group (2.81 +/- 1.6mm vs 2.07 +/- 1.43mm; P=.011) and a significantly elevated mean coronary artery calcium score (316.8 +/- 512.6 vs 108.73 +/- 215; P=.0257). The odds ratio for a patient with tissue thickness 2.4mm having hypertension was 1.396 (95% confidence interval, 1.033-1.922). Factors independently associated with hypertension were body mass index, low-density lipoprotein, and age. A model score was developed using the logistic regression coefficients for calculation of individual risk. Hypertensive patients have significantly higher than normal EAT thickness. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness may serve as a risk indicator for hypertension and cardiovascular morbidity.