RESUMO
Obesity currently affects nearly one-third of the population in the industrialized world. Traditionally, anthropometric measures such as body mass index [BMI] or waist circumference have been used to quantify overall adiposity; however, regional fat depots may be of greater importance than overall adiposity. Several studies have highlighted pericardial fat and abdominal visceral adipose tissue [VAT] as unique, pathogenic fat depot. Recognize the relation of obesity to increase epicardial fat pad thickness in Iraqi patients. Epicardial fat thickness was measured in 62 consecutive subjects [28 women 45%, 34 men 55%] mean age of 47.77 years [SD 8.03], using routine transthoracic echocardiogram. Epicardial fat was identified as the echo-free space between the outer wall of the myocardium and the visceral layer of the pericardium, and its thickness was measured perpendicularly on the free wall of the right ventricle at end-systole. The results show progressive increase of epicardial fat with increasing BMI which was very significant statistically. High mean epicardial fat is significantly associate with increasing waist circumference. No difference in those below and above 45 years of age in mean epicardial fat and there is gender difference in epicardial fat, where males had more epicardial fat than females. There is increase in the epicardial fat pad thickness in overweight and obese [BMI >/= 25] patients if compared to normal persons epicardial fat increase with increasing waist circumference more likely in male obese and independent on age.