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BackgroundThere are significant differences in the prevalence and prognosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) between sexes. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been found as a risk factor for AF. This study aimed to evaluate whether sex-based EAT differences were correlated with AF recurrence and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).MethodsIn this study, postmenopausal women and age, BMI, and type of AF matched men who had received first catheter ablation were included. EAT volume was quantified based on the pre-ablation cardiac computed tomography (CT) images. Clinical, CT, and echocardiographic variables were compared by sex groups. The predictors of AF recurrence and MACE were determined through Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsWomen were found with significantly lower total EAT volumes (P < 0.001) but higher periatrial/total (P/T) EAT ratios (P = 0.009). The median follow-up duration was 444.5 days. As revealed by the result of the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the women were found to have a significantly higher prevalence of AF recurrence (log rank, P = 0.011) but comparable MACE (log rank, P = 0.507) than men. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that female gender (HR: 1.88 [95% CI: 1.03, 4.15], P = 0.032), persistent AF (HR: 2.46 [95% CI: 1.19, 5.05], P = 0.015), left atrial (LA) dimension (HR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.02, 2.13], P = 0.041), and P/T EAT ratio (HR: 1.73 [95% CI: 1.12, 2.67], P = 0.013) were found as the independent predictors of AF recurrence. Sex-based subgroup multivariable analysis showed that the P/T EAT ratio was an independent predictor of AF recurrence in both men (HR: 1.13 [95% CI: 1.01, 1.46], P = 0.047) and women (HR: 1.37 [95% CI: 1.11, 1.67], P = 0.028). While age (HR: 1.81 [95% CI: 1.18, 2.77], P = 0.007), BMI (HR: 1.44 [95% CI: 1.02, 2.03], P = 0.038), and periatrial EAT volume (HR: 1.31 [95% CI: 1.01, 1.91], P = 0.046) were found to be independent of MACE.ConclusionWomen had a higher P/T EAT ratio and AF post-ablation recurrence but similar MACE as compared with men. Female gender and P/T EAT ratio were found to be independent predictors of AF recurrence, whereas age and periatrial EAT volume were found to be independent predictors of MACE.

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BackgroundEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may have a paracrine effect on coronary microcirculation and myocardium. However, it is unclear whether EAT is linked to cardiac function and perfusion.PurposeTo investigate the association of EAT with left ventricular (LV) strain and myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationA total of 78 patients with CAD and 20 healthy controls. The patients were further divided into high (n = 39) and low EAT volume (n = 39) groups according to median EAT volume.Field Strength/SequenceA 1.5 T, balanced steady‐state free precession, inversion recovery prepared echo‐planar, and segmented‐turbo fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) phase‐sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) sequences.AssessmentEAT volume was measured by manually tracing the epicardial border and the visceral layer of pericardium on the short‐axis cine stacks. LV strain parameters included global radial (GRS), circumferential (GCS), and longitudinal peak strain (GLS). Perfusion indices included upslope, perfusion index, time‐to‐maximum signal intensity (TTM), and maximum signal intensity (MaxSI).Statistical TestsOne‐way analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis rank tests, Chi‐squared or Fisher exact tests. Multivariate linear regression analyses. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe parameters of GRS GCS, GLS, upslope, perfusion index, and MaxSI were significantly lower in the patients when compared to the controls. Moreover, the high EAT volume group presented significantly longer TTM values and lower GRS, GCS, GLS, upslope, perfusion index, and MaxSI than the low EAT volume group. Multivariate linear regression analyses demonstrated that EAT was independently associated with GRS, GCS, GLS, upslope, perfusion index, TTM, and MaxSI in patients. EAT and upslope were independently associated with GRS, while EAT and perfusion index were both independently associated with GCS and GLS.Data ConclusionEAT was associated with parameters of LV function and perfusion, and myocardial perfusion was independently associated with LV strain in patients with CAD.Evidence Level3.Technical EfficacyStage 3.