Can the extent of epicardial adipose tissue thickness or the presence of descending thoracic aortic calcification predict significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with a zero coronary calcium score on multi-detector CT?

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the extent of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness or the presence of descending thoracic aortic calcification on multi-detector CT (MDCT) can predict the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with negative coronary artery calcium (CAC).

Methods: We enrolled 90 patients with negative CAC in whom both coronary CT angiography (CTA) and conventional angiography had been performed. Group 1 consisted of patients (n=27) with significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50%), whereas group 2 (n=63) had non-obstructive coronary artery stenosis (<50%) on conventional angiography. We analyzed whether or not there is a significant difference in EAT thickness or the incidence of calcification of descending thoracic aorta among the two groups.

Results: There was no significant difference between EAT thickness on MDCT among the two groups. There was also no significant difference in the incidence of descending thoracic aortic calcification between group 1 (7/27, 25.9%) and group 2 (14/63, 22.2%) (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Neither the presence of abundant EAT nor calcification of descending thoracic aorta is a marker of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with negative CAC.