Association of Epicardial and Pericardial Adipose Tissue Volumes with Coronary Artery Calcification

Abstract

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) are anatomically close to the myocardium and may influence cardiovascular pathology. Thus, in this study, we aim to assess whether EAT and PAT volumes were associated with coronary artery calcification score (CCS) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), especially in overweight and obese individuals.

We included consecutive patients with suspected CAD in whom EAT volume, PAT volume, and CCS were measured via computed tomography between September 2015 and June 2017 at the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, China. Logistic regression models were applied to analyze the risk factors for CCS ≥ 100 Agatston units (AU) and in different body mass index (BMI) subgroups.

EAT and PAT volumes were noted to be higher in people with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m², BMI ≥ 28 kg/m², hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and CCS ≥ 100 AU (P < 0.05). After adjusting for the traditional CAD factors, we found that EAT and PAT volumes were independent risk factors for CCS ≥ 100 AU (odds ratio, 3.001; 95% confidence interval, 1.900-4.740, P < 0.001). In patients with CCS ≥ 100 AU, the EAT and PAT volumes were noted to be greater in the BMI ≥ 24 kg/m² and BMI ≥ 28 kg/m² subgroups than in the BMI < 24 kg/m² and BMI < 28 kg/m² subgroups, respectively (P < 0.05).

Our results indicate that EAT and PAT volumes may be clinical predictors for a CCS ≥ 100 AU, especially in overweight and obese individuals.