Prognosis of the correlation between the epicardial fat thickness and events of Coronary Atherosclerosis

• Grant number: 12/00348-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: João Cesar Nunes Sbano
• Grantee: Bianca Brunelli Eduardo
• Host Institution: Instituto do Coração Professor Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini (INCOR). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project intends to evaluate the capacity to predict events related to atherosclerosis in coronary arteries starting from the measurement of the epicardial fat thickness. Coronary arterial disease presents a huge medical and social relevance. It is one of the main causes of death in the current days and is directly related to the atherosclerotic process, visceral adiposity, and the severity of the coronary arterial disease. The measurement of the epicardial fat thickness can be realized by a bidimensional echocardiography exam that has shown up more advantages than other techniques such as Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance. Will be measured other parameters that allow analyzing the diastolic and systolic function of the left ventricle. These parameters can have implications for what will be studied. This study will be evaluated 100 patients from a stress echocardiography study performed at InCor - HCFMUSP. Will be obtained the thickness of the epicardial fat by the analysis of the echocardiography exam and, subsequently, will be examined the clinical evolution of the patient by a review of medical records. Therefore, it is intended to establish relations between the epicardial fat thickness and coronary atherosclerosis events aiming to predict events and prognosis.(AU)