Clinical Report: Evaluation of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Epicardial Fat Thickness

Overview

This study assessed carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) in 925 asymptomatic adults to evaluate their associations with cardiovascular risk factors.

Background

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality globally, particularly affecting South Asian populations who exhibit a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Non-invasive imaging techniques like cIMT and EFT are increasingly recognized for their potential in enhancing cardiovascular risk stratification.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Participants with cardiovascular risk factors had significantly higher right cIMT (0.681 mm) compared to controls (0.576 mm).
• Left cIMT was also significantly higher in the study group (0.711 mm) versus the control group (0.587 mm).
• EFT was significantly greater in participants with risk factors (5.45 mm) compared to controls (4.24 mm).
• Abnormal cIMT prevalence increased with age, from 2.2% in those under 40 to 28.0% in those over 60.
• Higher cumulative cardiovascular risk-factor burden correlated with increased cIMT and EFT values.
• Mean left cIMT was modestly but significantly greater than mean right cIMT, with a mean difference of 0.026 mm.

Clinical Implications

The study suggests that cIMT and EFT can serve as valuable non-invasive imaging markers for assessing cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic adults. Incorporating these measurements alongside traditional risk factors may improve early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that cardiovascular risk factors are associated with increased cIMT and EFT in asymptomatic adults.

Related Resources & Content

1. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 2022 -- Association of epicardial adipose tissue thickness and cardiac structure and function in early midlife: the cardiovascular risk in Young Finns Study
2. the pathologist, 2022 -- Earlier Cardiovascular Risk in South Asians
3. Clinical Research in Cardiology, 2021 -- The Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients
4. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2026 -- Epicardial fat area as an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation occurrence and severity
5. JACC, 2025 -- Use of Risk Assessment to Guide Decision-Making for Blood Pressure Management in the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology
6. PubMed, 2023 -- Non-invasive imaging of atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
7. Non-invasive imaging of atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed
8. association between computed tomography-derived epicardial adipose tissue volume and major adverse cardiovascular events: a systematic review and meta-analysis | European Heart Journal | Oxford Academic