Linear regression models on the relationship between PA-PDI interval and pericardial fat.

<p>hs-CRP = high sensitivity C-reactive protein; LV = left ventricle; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; LVIDD = left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole; SE = standard error; WBCs = white blood cells.</p

The association between PA-PDI interval and pericardial fat.

<p>The PA-PDI interval was significantly correlated with the amount of PCF (r = 0.641, p value <0.001) (A). When patients were divided into 3 groups according to the tertile values of PCF, the PA-PDI interval continuously lengthened from first (115.8±12.4 ms), second (125.0±9.3 ms) to third tertile (135.1±12.8 mm) (B). *P value <0.05, second or third tertile versus first tertile; ⁺P value <0.05, third versus second tertile. PCF = pericardial fat.</p

Measurement of pericardial adipose tissue.

<p>The PCF (*) was defined by the fat between the heart and the pericardium (arrow) as shown in axial view (A). Thick-slice (10 mm) 3D reconstruction axial view (B) demonstrated PCF. All pixels within a window of −195 to −45 HU and a window centre of −120 HU inside pericardial sac have been selected as PCF and reconstructed into the 3D image. PCF = pericardial fat.</p

ROC curve for PA-PDI interval in predicting an increased amount of pericardial fat (third tertile).

<p>The AUC for the PA-PDI interval in predicting an increased amount of PCF (third tertile, ≥91.9 mL) was 0.796 (95% CI = 0.745–0.848, p value <0.001). At a cutoff value of 130 ms identified by the ROC curve, the sensitivity and specificity of PA-PDI interval in identifying patients with a highest tertile amount of PCF were 63.4% and 85.3%, respectively. AUC = area under the curve; CI = confidence interval; PCF = pericardial fat; ROC = receiver operating characteristic.</p

An example of the atrium electromechanical interval (PA-PDI interval) measurement.

<p>In the apical four chamber view, the pulse-wave Doppler sample was placed on the mitral inflow tract. The PA-PDI interval was defined as the time-interval from the initiation of the P wave from the electrocardiographic signal (lead II) provided by the echocardiographic machine to the peak of the mitral inflow A wave of the pulse wave Doppler imaging.</p

The association between LA volume and pericardial fat.

<p>Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the tertile values of PCF, and the LA volume was larger in third tertile compared to that of first or second tertile. However, the LA volume was not different between first and second tertiles (31.2±9.7 mL versus 33.3±10.2 mL, p value = 0.310) (A). LA volume was significantly correlated with the amount of PCF (r = 0.420, p value <0.001) (B). *P value <0.05, third tertile versus first tertile; ⁺P value <0.05, third versus second tertile; N.S. denotes non-significant p value. LA = left atrium; PCF = pericardial fat.</p

Clinical characteristics of the study population.

<p>hsCRP = high sensitivity C-reactive protein; LV = left ventricle; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction; LVIDD = left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole; WBCs = white blood cells; PA-PDI = the time interval from the initiation of the P wave deflection to the peak of the mitral inflow A wave on the pulse wave Doppler imaging.</p