Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) mimics visceral fat which is associated with metabolic derangements and coronary artery disease (CAD). EAT volume (EAT-V) measured by CT scan had shown good correlation with CAD. QRISK3 score is a validated risk predictor of future cardiovascular events but has limitations. We assessed whether EAT thickness (EAT-T) measured by echocardiography, a simple and widely available tool, correlated with EAT-V, and whether EAT-T is a predictor of CAD independently of QRISK3 scores. Methods: We enrolled 97 patients who underwent CTA for evaluation of chest pain. EAT-T was measured by 2D-echocardiography in parasternal long axis (PLAX) and parasternal short axis (PSAX) views. We evaluated association of EAT-T with EAT-V and CAD (≥50% stenosis on CTA); and independent predictive value of EAT-T for CAD after adjusting for QRISK 3 scores. Results: EAT-T was significantly more in patients with CAD (PLAX: 4.82 ± 1.31 mm vs. 4.06 ± 1.25 mm, p=0.005). EAT-T correlated strongly with EAT-V (r=0.75, p<0.001). On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, EAT-T (PLAX) ≥3.9 mm (area-under-curve: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.58-0.79, sensitivity 84%, specificity 55%) predicted the presence of CAD. On multivariate analysis after adjusting for QRISK 3 scores, EAT-T showed significant association with CAD with highest odds ratio for indexed EAT-T (EAT-T/body surface area) (PLAX) ≥2.2 mm/m2 (OR 5.40; 95% CI: 2.17-13.55.; p<0.001). Conclusion: EAT-T is a predictor of CAD independent of QRISK3 scores. An increased EAT-T detected CAD with >80% sensitivity. These findings need to be validated in larger prospective cohort studies.

Background: Expected benefits of modified ultrafiltration(MUF) include increased hematocrit, reduction of total body water & inflammatory mediators, improved left ventricular systolic function, & improved systolic blood pressure and cardiac index following cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). This prospective randomized trial tested this hypothesis. Methods: 79 patients undergoing intracardiac repair of Tetralogy of Fallot(TOF) were randomized to MUF group(Group-M, n=39) or only conventional ultrafiltration(CUF) group(Group-C, n=40). Primary outcome was change in hematocrit. Secondary outcomes were changes in peak airway pressures, ventilatory support, blood transfusions, time to peripheral rewarming, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, inotrope score(IS) and cardiac index. Serum inflammatory markers were measured. Results: Following MUF, Group-M had higher hematocrit(44.3±0.98 g/dl) compared to Group-C(37.8±1.37g/dl),P=<0.001. Central venous pressure(mmHg) immediately following sternal closure was 9.27±3.12mmHg in Group-M & 10.52±2.2mmHg in Group-C(P=0.04). In the ICU, they were 11.52±2.20mmHg in Group-C and 10.84±2.78mmHg in Group-M(P=0.02). Time to peripheral rewarming was 6.30±3.91 hours in Group-M and 13.67±3.91hours in Group-C(P=0.06). Peak airway pressures in ICU were 17±2mmHg in Group-M & 20.55±2.97mmHg in Group-C, P<0.001. Duration of mechanical ventilation was 6.3±2.7 hours in Group-M compared to 14.7±3.5 hours in Group-C(P=0.002). IS was 11.52±2.20 in Group-C compared to 10.84±2.78 in Group-M. 8/39(20.5%) patients in Group-M had IS>10 compared to 22/40(55%) patients in Group-C(P=0.02). Serum Troponin-T and Interleukin-6 levels were lower in Group-M; TNF-α and CPK-MB were similar. ICU & hospital stay were similar. Conclusion: MUF group had higher post-operative hematocrit, decreased duration of mechanical ventilation, lower need for inotropes & lower Interleukin-6 & Troponin-T levels. MUF group had better post-operative outcomes.