Quantification of epicardial fat with cardiac CT and association with cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive coronary disease. (14th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mano, T; Viegas, J; Reis, J; Castelo, A; Bras, P; Ferreira, V; Cardoso, I; Grazina, A; Figueiredo, L; Ruano, C; Marques, H; Ramos, R; Cruz Ferreira, R
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 42(2021)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2021-10-14
• Subjects: Pericardial Disease; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.12005
• DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0181
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-668X

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Recent studies advocate epicardial fat (EF) as a biologically active organ that influence coronary atherosclerosis development through endocrine and paracrine pathways. We aim to study the relations between EF, thoracic adipose tissue (TAT), cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) and obstructive coronary disease (OCD). Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients (pts) referred to 64-multislice cardiac computed tomography (CT) in one center. The authors underwent a standardized protocol for quantification of EAT, TAT (subcutaneous and visceral), abdominal visceral fat, coronary calcium score and angiography. Results: Total of 178 pts: male 99 (56%), mean age 65.9±12.9 years. Indications for performing CT were coronary disease (76%), valvular heart disease (15%), atrial fibrillation (6%) and congenital heart disease (2%). Regarding CRF, EF was only significant higher in patients with diabetes (115±60 vs 95±47, p=0.018), in male gender (114±60 vs 91±42, p=0.04) and was linear correlated with age (p=0.004). The authors also found that EF volume is significant higher in patients with typical angina (p=0.02) and with coronary atherosclerosis: non-obstructive (p=0.0049) and OCD (p=0.001) – Graphic 1. ROC analysis of EF (AUC 0.659, p=0.0039) and EF/TAT relation (AUC 0.704, p=0.003) allowed to estimate that EF>100 ml and EF/TAT >0.06 had a sensibility to predict OCD of 53% and 58%, respectively, and specificity of 66% and 60%. We did not find a correlation between EF, EF/TAT or TAT and coronary calcium score. Conclusion: EF is higher in patients with diabetes and coronary atherosclerosis. EF and EF/TAT relation had moderate sensibility and specificity to predict OCD, irrespective of calcium score. EF and EF/TAT are promising atherosclerotic markers that could be routinely use in the near future. Funding Acknowledgement: Type of funding sources: None.