Epicardial Adipose Tissue as a Predictor of Subclinical Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) is continuously raising, posing a significant threat to public health. Aim: To assess the correlation between left ventricular strain and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in cases suffering from T2DM, two-dimensional speckle technology (2D-STE) has been utilized. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was carried out on 114 cases suffering from T2DM who have been categorized into 2 groups based on their left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS): The first group consisted of 57 T2DM cases with a GLS of less than eighteen percent, while the second group consisted of 57 T2DM cases with a GLS of eighteen percent or higher. Results: Increased thickness of EAT, Hba1c (%) and waist circumference were found to be independent predictors of worse (more negative) GLS. For every 1 mm increase in EAT, there was an associated 0.884% reduction in GLS (p<0.001). And each 1-centimeter increase in circumference of waist was related to a 0.133% lower GLS(p<0.001). Additionally, each 1 % increase in glycosylated hemoglobina1c (hba1c) was related to a 0.44% lower GLS(p<0.001). Conclusion: Impaired left ventricular function is correlated with thickened EAT in cases with type 2 diabetes. Accumulation of EAT can result in left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as well as left ventricular systolic dysfunction. By examining the correlation among left ventricular myocardial function and EAT in cases suffer from T2DM, we can develop a more profound comprehension of the pathogenesis of impaired cardiac function in T2DM cases.