ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EPICARDIAL FAT AND RECOVERY OUTCOMES IN ATHLETES WITH UNSTABLE ANGINA FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and recovery outcomes in athletes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unstable angina. Methods: This study encompassed 235 athletes who underwent PCI from February 2017 to August 2021. EAT volume and density were measured, and the athletes were followed for 12 months to track revascularization, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Results: The mean EAT volume (EATV) was 116.58±7.17 cm³, and the mean EAT density (EATD) was -101.08±7.45 HU. Higher incidences of all-cause mortality, revascularization, and MACEs were observed in athletes with higher EATV and EATD at one-year post-PCI, with significant differences (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that EATV and EATD are significant predictors of poor post-PCI prognosis, with AUCs of 0.668 and 0.822 respectively. Conclusion: Both EAT volume and density serve as independent predictors of adverse post-PCI outcomes in athletes, highlighting the need for specialized management strategies in this population to improve postoperative recovery and reduce the risk of complications.