The relationship between myocardial bridging detected in coronary CT angiography and epicardial adipose tissue volume

The relationship between myocardial bridging detected in coronary CT angiography and epicardial adipose tissue volume. AİM: Myocardial bridging (MB) is redirection of coronary arteries, which should continue epicardially, into myocardial tissue or encasement of these segments with muscle fibers. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a fat layer surrounding vascular structures between pericardium and heart surface, and its volume increases in obesity-related complications. In this study, incidence, types, presence of anomalies, effect of EAT in patients with MB were investigated. METHODS: Data of total 50 patients who underwent cardiac CT angiography with Aquilion CT device (Toshiba Medical Systems, Japan) due to chest pain between 01.01.2020-30.01.2023 at the Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital Radiology Department's CT unit were retrospectively evaluated. Among these patients, 24 cases with MB were identified. EAT volume was calculated for each patient, and its relationship with gender, age, cardiovascular risk factors, and MB was assessed. RESULTS: Myocardial bridging observed in 48% of cases. Among MB cases, LAD bridging: 17 (70,8%), LCX: 4 (16,7%), RCA: 2 (8,3%), LAD-LCX 1: (4,2%) of the participants. 6% had other coronary anomalies. In control group, there was moderate positive correlation between epicardial fat volume and age, Ca+2, LDL, and TG levels (p<0.05 for each). Significant impact of female gender and age on EAT volume found. EAT volume 47,82 times higher in females, age increase led to 14% EAT volume rise. CONCLUSION: EAT volume notably higher in females. EAT volume in MB patients and controls showed no significant difference (p>0.05). This study serves as an important preliminary investigation for early detection of myocardial bridging and the impact of EAT volume on MB. Conducting the study with a larger patient group and involving multiple centers will increase the reliability of findings. Keywords: Myocardial bridging, Epicardial adipose tissue, Coronary artery anomaly, Coronary CT angiography.