Relationship Between Epicardial Fat Tissue, Endothelial Function, and Coronary Flow Reserve in Coronary Microvascular Disease Patients

Background Coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) is a major cause of hospitalization for a considerable number of patients, with coronary flow reserve (CFR) reduction being the main feature of CMVD. However, imaging methods for CMVD evaluation are still lacking. This study aimed to investigate associations among epicardial fat thickness (EFT), endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and CFR in patients with CMVD, and to evaluate their predictive value for CMVD diagnosis. Methods CFR was measured by regadenoson stress echocardiography, while EFT and FMD were measured by transthoracic echocardiography and brachial artery vascular ultrasound in 66 subjects with ischaemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were performed. Results Twenty-nine patients were categorized into the CFR decreased group (CFR < 2.0), and thirty-seven patients were separated into the CFR normal group (CFR ≥ 2.0). EFT was significantly higher in the CFR decreased group (6.063 ± 1.732mm vs. 5.95 ± 1.718mm, P  = 0.003), while FMD was significantly lower in the CFR decreased group [4.05 (3.10, 5.40) vs. 5.3 (4.85, 7.3), P  = 0.011]. EFT was an independent predictor for CMVD [odds ratio: 4.416, 95% confidence interval: 1.385–14.075, P  < 0.012]. A cut-off value of EFT > 5.51 mm predicted CMVD with 90% sensitivity and 71% specificity. FMD was not an independent predictor for CMVD, but when FMD < 4.65%, it predicted CMVD with 60% sensitivity and 83% specificity. Conclusions EFT and FMD may serve as potential evaluation methods for CMVD. EFT was independently associated with the presence of CMVD. EFT is a novel independent predictor of CMVD, while FMD provides complementary diagnostic value. These non-invasive markers may improve risk stratification in patients with microvascular dysfunction.