Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot surrounding the myocardium. It contributes to coronary artery disease (CAD) through local inflammation, while its metabolic activity, including the expression of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) and incretin receptors (GLP-1R, GIPR), may exert protective effects. The relationship between EAT immunohistochemical features and imaging-derived volume remains unclear. Methods: We prospectively studied 50 patients undergoing cardiac surgery: 25 with CAD undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting and 25 without CAD undergoing valve replacement. EAT samples were immunohistochemically stained for CD3, CD68, MPO, UCP-1, GLP-1R, and GIPR. Preoperative CT was used to quantify EAT volume. Results: Patients with CAD more frequently had higher CD3 immunopositivity compared to the control group (84.0 vs. 58.3%, p = 0.047), with no difference in MPO and CD68 immunoexpression. UCP-1 expression was elevated in CAD patients (p = 0.004), whereas GLP-1R and GIPR immunopositivity were similar. EAT volume did not differ between CAD and non-CAD patients (102.87 cm³ vs. 99.38 cm³, p = 0.964) but correlated modestly with BMI (r_s = 0.325, p = 0.021). UCP-1 and GLP-1R immunopositivity, as well as larger LVEDD (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter), were positively associated with greater EAT volume. Conclusions: EAT in CAD exhibits increased T-cell infiltration and elevated UCP-1 expression, indicating an inflammatory yet metabolically active profile. Larger EAT volume was associated with UCP-1 and GLP-1R expression, underscoring the immunometabolic role of EAT in CAD.

Background: Transcatheter septal ablation is a minimally invasive therapeutic method for treating symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The procedure is an alternative to septal myectomy, and it can be achieved using different modalities. Coronary artery congenital anomalies can coexist with HCM and can add complexity to its treatment. Case summary: A 65-year-old female presented with angina, reduced exercise tolerance, palpitations, and dizziness. Echocardiography showed eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy with basal septal thickness of 20 mm and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with maximum gradient of 209 mmHg. Cardiopulmonary exercise stress test showed a decreased oxygen uptake (VO2) of 13.7 ml/min/m2. Medical therapy titrated to maximum tolerated doses failed and septal reduction therapy was indicated. Prior to alcohol septal ablation (ASA), coronary angiography revealed a rare coronary artery anomaly, a single coronary artery originating from the right coronary sinus and the procedure was unsuccessful due to kinking of the over-the-wire (OTW) balloon, caused by the acute take-off angle of the septal branch. The second attempt was done using a microcatheter that was advanced to the septal branch over a hydrophilic coronary guidewire and embolization was done with two micro-coils 2mm × 2 cm. Procedural echocardiography revealed basal septal akinesia and reduced LVOT velocity from 7.24 m/s to 1.5 m/s. After six months, the patient reported a decreased frequency of chest pain and improved exercise tolerance. Echocardiography revealed the septal thickness of 15 mm, with an LVOT gradient of 24 mmHg. Follow-up CT coronary angiography confirmed a “single” coronary artery type R-III, with separate origins of LAD and Cx from the proximal RCA. Part of LAD went through the interventricular septum, forming a myocardial bridge, classified as a potentially “malignant” S subtype. Conclusion: Micro-coil embolization is a feasible alternative treatment to alcohol septal ablation in patients with obstructive HCM and anomalous origin and the course of coronary arteries.