The relation between echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness and mitral annular calcification

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Predicts Severe Mitral Annular Calcification in Patients Aged ≥60 Years

BACKGROUND Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been shown to be associated with diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), coronary artery calcification, and atherosclerotic disease. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is also associated with atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between EAT and severe MAC. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study enrolled 102 patients who had severe MAC and 107 patients who did not have MAC, as determined by echocardiographic examination. EAT was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. The parasternal long-axis view was used to measure the maximal EAT thickness. RESULTS Patients with severe MAC were older (p<0.001) and were more likely to be female (p<0.001). Epicardial adipose tissue (p=0.001) and urea (p=0.004) were also higher and eGFR was lower (p<0.001) in patients with severe MAC. EAT (OR: 15.96, CI %: 1.04 - 24.604, p<0.05), female sex, CAD, DM, eGFR, and age were independent predictors of severe MAC. The AUC for the EAT to predict severe MAC was 0.699 (95%, CI: 0.625 - 0.774, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that EAT is an independent predictor for the presence of severe MAC. Routine echocardiographic assessment of EAT is a cheap and noninvasive method for evaluating patient cardiovascular risk classification.

Mitral Annular Calcification: Association with Atherosclerosis and Clinical Implications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the pathophysiology of mitral annular calcification (MAC) with recent findings and current strategies for diagnosis and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Major factors in MAC development seem to be shear stress of the flow past the mitral valve, local inflammation, and dysregulation in regulators of mineral metabolism. MAC itself poses daunting technical challenges. Implanting a valve on top of the calcium bar might lead to paravalvular leak (PVL) that is less likely to heal. Annular decalcification allows for better valve seating and potentially better healing and less PVL. This, however, comes with the risk for catastrophic atrioventricular groove disruption. MAC can be sharply dissected with the scalpel; the annulus can be reconstructed with the autologous pericardium. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement is a promising approach in the treatment of patients who are deemed high-risk surgical candidates with severe MAC. MAC is a multifactorial disease that has some commonalities with atherosclerosis, mainly regarding lipid accumulation and calcium deposition. It is of great clinical importance, being a risk marker of cardiovascular events (including sudden death) and, with its progression, can have a negative impact on patients' lives.