Abstract
Subepicardial space is one of the regions in which fat in moderate amount is normally deposited. When excess deposits of epicardial fat occur, penetration or infiltration of fat into the connective tissues between muscle bundles is observed. In some cases with very extensive involvement of epicardial fat,myocardial insufficiency and conduction system defect such as heart block have been implicated. More fat is deposited over the right ventricle than over left and the anterior surface contains more fat than dose the posterior surface. We studied 40 patients who underwent open heart surgery under the cardiopulmonary bypass. This study was designed to evaluate the percentage of the area of epicardial fat of the right ventricular anterior surface, which is more accessible area during the operative procedure. Other variables included thickness of subcutanous tissue of anterior chest wall, the ratio of waist to hip circumference, body weight and age. In conclusion, the amount of the epicardial fat correlates with thickness of the subcutaneous fat of the anterior chest wall and simple linear regression analysis indicates good correlation with body weight. Increased age results in large amount of epicardial fat.
