Figure 1. Differences in Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume Among Patients without and with Epicardial Connection

Representative samples of computed tomography images of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT, indicated in dark red) in a patient (A) without epicardial connection and (B) with epicardial connection. The images are shown in the sagittal plane at the level of the intercaval area (left panel), in the axial plane at the level of the right pulmonary vein carina (mid panel), and in the coronal plane at the level of the right pulmonary vein carina (right panel). Note that in the upper image of patients without epicardial connection, the EAT volume in the intercaval area is larger (indicated by a white arrow in the upper panel) than that of patients with epicardial connection (indicated by a white arrow in the lower panel). The comparison of periatrial and intercaval EAT volumes between the two groups are shown in (C). EAT = epicardial adipose tissue; PA = pulmonary artery; RS = right superior pulmonary vein; RI = right inferior pulmonary vein; Ao = aorta; RA = right atrium; RV = right ventricle; LAA = left atrial appendage.