Introduction: Epicardial fat (EPI) plays important role in development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. According to population studies EPI represents independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and also for neoplasms. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a glycoprotein which have role in regulation of immune and cardiovascular systems. High serum levels of OPG are connected with high cardiovascular risk. The aim of our study was to evaluate possible correlation between EPI and OPG level in asymptomatic relatives of patients with CVD.
Material and methods: 53 asymptomatic relatives (37 male) (median age 53 years) of patients with CVD (ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease) were included. Physical examination and biochemistry analysis were performed. GE Vivid 7 (GE Medical) was used for echocardiography. EPI was measured according to guidelines using parasternal long axis in diastole as a space in front of right ventricle.
Results: EPI was present in 46 subjects (86.8 %) with mean value of 2.91 mm. In 10 subjects was the amount of EPI > 5 mm. Spearmann correlation analysis found statistically significant correlation between EPI and OPG (r = 0.271; p = 0.05) and age (r = 0.500; p < 0.0001). We have not found correlation between EPI, glycaemia and level of insulin, glycated Hb, total, LDL, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Conclusion: We have found positive correlation between EPI and OPG. More studies are needed to confirm applicability of this correlation in risk stratification.Key words: cardiovascular risk - epicardial fat - osteoprotegerin.