Correlation between Mesenteric Fat Thickness and Characteristics of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Background and aim: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) includes an assembly of conditions; the most important of which is obesity. The pandemic prevalence of obesity worldwide increased the awareness of MetS. Mesenteric fat thickness is linked to higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) complications which may lead to death. Although many studies were done on patients with MetS worldwide, studies on Egyptian patients are limited. Thus, here we examined the relationship between mesenteric fat thickness and the severity and prevalence of CAD among Egyptian patients with MetS. Methods: Sixty-four patients with MetS were recruited in this prospective cohort study. We assessed the mesenteric fat, and carotid intima media thickness using ultrasonography. Moreover, we evaluated the coronary arteries using myocardial perfusion imaging, MSCT, and/or coronary angiography. Results: Twenty-three patients had a mesenteric fat thickness less than 10 mm, while 41 patients had a mesenteric fat thickness equal to 10 mm or more. Severity and prevalence of CAD were significantly higher in patients with a mesenteric fat thickness of 10 mm or more (P<0.001, and 0.007). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between carotid intima media thickness and a number of diseased vessels in patients with CAD. Conclusion: Our results suggest that mesenteric fat thickness and carotid intima media thickness are good indicators of the prevalence and severity of CAD in patients with MetS. More studies on a large number of the population are required to define MetS in Egyptian patients with MetS, especially in those with a higher risk of CAD.