Effects of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery on Epicardial Fat Measured Using Echocardiography

Epicardial fat assessed using echocardiography is associated with abdominal visceral adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk factors. Because of its location, epicardial fat may directly affect the coronary vasculature and myocardium through local secretion of bioactive molecules. This study examines the effects of weight loss after bariatric surgery on epicardial adipose tissue in patients with severe obesity. Clinical data and echocardiograms of 23 patients with severe obesity who had echocardiograms recorded before and 8.3 ± 3.7 months after undergoing bariatric surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Epicardial fat thickness was measured as the hypoechoic space anterior to the right ventricle in both the parasternal long- and short-axis views, and an average was obtained. At baseline, patients had increased epicardial fat compared with normal-weight controls matched for age, gender, and ethnicity (5.3 ± 2.4 vs 3.0 ± 1.1 mm, p