Effects of metformin on epicardial adipose tissue and atrial electromechanical delay of obese children with insulin resistance.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is usually related to insulin resistance and glucose metabolism disorders. The relationship between insulin resistance and epicardial adipose tissue and atrial electromechanical delay has been described in previous studies. AIM: This study aims to demonstrate the effects of metformin on epicardial adipose tissue and electromechanical delay in patients using metformin for insulin resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients using metformin for insulin resistance were included in the study. Pre-treatment and post-treatment epicardial adipose tissue and electromechanical delay were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in epicardial adipose tissue thickness after 3 months of metformin therapy (6.4 ± 2.1 versus 4.7 ± 2.0; p = 0.008). Furthermore, the inter-atrial and intra-atrial electromechanical delay also significantly decreased after 3 months of metformin monotherapy (23.6 ± 8.2 versus 18.1 ± 5.8; p < 0.001, 9.1 ± 2.9 versus 6.3 ± 3.6; p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, we show that metformin monotherapy significantly decreases epicardial adipose tissue thickness and electromechanical delay in obese children.