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Epicardial fat thickness, an emerging cardiometabolic risk factor, is increased in young adults born preterm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2016

P. P. Bassareo ,
V. Fanos ,
M. Puddu ,
S. Marras  and
G. Mercuro
P. P. Bassareo*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Sciences ‘M. Aresu’, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
V. Fanos
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
M. Puddu
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
S. Marras
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Sciences ‘M. Aresu’, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
G. Mercuro
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Sciences ‘M. Aresu’, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
*
*Address for correspondence: P. P. Bassareo, Department of Medical Sciences ‘M.Aresu’, University of Cagliari, Policlinico Universitario, S.S. 554, bivio di Sestu, 09042 Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

Preterm birth and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) constitute novel risk factors for the onset of future adverse cardiovascular events. In total, 30 ex-extremely low birth weight (ex-ELBW) subjects (10 males, 20 females, aged 17–28) were enrolled and compared with 30 healthy peers. EFT was significantly higher (8.7±0.7 mm v. 5.6±0.9 mm; P<0.001) in ex-ELBW than in controls and was correlated with birth weight (r=−0.47, P=0.0009), gestational age (r=−0.39, P=0.03) and cardiac left ventricular mass (r=0.51, P=0.004). When excluding the influence of body mass index, birth weight was the sole remaining determinant of EFT, irrespective of gestational age (r=−0.37, P=0.04). The same findings when excluding the possible influence of blood pressure values on the cardiac structures (r=−0.40, P=0.028). In conclusion, EFT is significantly higher in former preterm subjects and is likewise associated with an increase in left ventricular mass. In view of the acknowledged correlation between the latter and an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, EFT appears to be an easy-to-measure tool capable of predicting the likely development of future adverse cardiovascular events in these subjects.

Keywords

cardiovascular riskepicardial fat thicknessprematurity at birthprognosis
Type
Brief Report
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 7 , Issue 4 , August 2016 , pp. 369 - 373
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2016 

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