Metabolic And Cardiovascular Obesity Scores

Epicardial Fat Thickness Index (EFTI) Calculator

Clinical calculation support · Verify results before clinical use

EFTI calculation

Use measurements recorded with a consistent echocardiographic protocol.

About epicardial fat thickness

Epicardial adipose tissue is the fat depot located between the myocardium and the visceral pericardium. Echocardiography can estimate its thickness, commonly along the right ventricular free wall, but results depend on the acquisition site, cardiac phase, and measurement technique.

Greater epicardial fat thickness has been associated with cardiometabolic risk in observational studies. However, measurement protocols and proposed thresholds vary, and thickness should be interpreted in the context of the clinical assessment rather than as a stand-alone diagnostic test.

How the index is calculated

Parameter	Formula / unit
Epicardial Fat Thickness Index (EFTI)	EFT (mm) ÷ BSA (m²)
Reported unit	mm/m²

Important interpretation note

The original calculator described ≤7 mm/m² as normal. The literature located for this review did not verify that threshold for an EFT/BSA thickness ratio. Published echocardiographic thresholds such as 7 mm, where used, refer to thickness itself in mm and are not interchangeable with mm/m². Therefore, this calculator reports the arithmetic index without assigning a normal/abnormal category.

References

Iacobellis G, Malavazos AE, Corsi MM. Epicardial fat: from the biomolecular aspects to the clinical practice. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2011;43(12):1651–1654. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2011.09.006.

Iacobellis G, Willens HJ. How to measure epicardial adipose tissue thickness by echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2009;22(12):1311–1319. Review of echocardiographic measurement technique and variation in reported thresholds. Full text.

Bertaso AG, et al. Epicardial fat: definition, measurements and systematic review of main outcomes. Review discussing associations and limitations caused by differences in nomenclature and measurement methods. Full text.

Clinical disclaimer: This calculator performs a mathematical calculation only. It does not establish a diagnosis, quantify total epicardial adipose tissue volume, or replace standardized echocardiographic measurement and clinical judgment. Use local protocols and the evidence applicable to the patient population.