Epicardial adipose tissue and subclinical incident atrial fibrillation in a population at risk of stroke - a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main source(s): Innovation Fund Denmark. Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and associated with a substantially increased risk morbidity mortality, including heart failure stroke(1,2). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) believed to provide both thermoregulation mechanical protection coronary arteries in healthy human beings(3,4), but role EAT development severity AF suggests deleterious effects EAT. Since shares blood circulation myocardium, it offers opportunity for paracrine- neuroendocrine signaling(5), which contributes an arrhythmogenic- pro-inflammatory state. Purpose While assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has been found predictive clinical AF(5,6), association subclinical not yet established. This study aimed investigate between EAT, determined CMR, incident following long-term continuous rhythm monitoring implantable loop recorder (ILR) at-risk population. Methods sub-study LOOP study. In total, 203 participants without history received ILR underwent advanced CMR. All were at least 70 years age inclusion had one conditions: hypertension, diabetes, previous stroke, or failure. Volumetric measurements atrial- ventricular derived from as seen Picture 1, time was subsequently determined. Results A total 78 patients (38%) diagnosed during median 40 (37–42) months monitoring. Of these, only 7 (9%) reported symptoms episodes, i.e., 91% AF. multivariate Cox regression analyses adjusted age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, we be independent marker hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) up 1.66 (1.17–2.36; p = 0.005) when analyzing new-onset episodes lasting ≥ 24 hours. The are presented 2, where furthermore have left atrial size (LAMIN) function (LATEF). Conclusion volumetric on CMR images significantly detected ILR.