Correlation between epicardial adipose tissue and severity of coronary artery stenosis evaluated by 64-MDCT

Clin Imaging. 2016 May-Jun;40(3):477-80. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2015.12.003. Epub 2015 Dec 18.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose was to investigate the correlation between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness, EAT volume, and severity of coronary artery stenosis.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 188 patients that underwent coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography for clinically suspected coronary artery disease using 64-MDCT. Images were reconstructed using a retrospective electrocardiogram-gated algorithm with 0.625-mm-thick sections. EAT thickness and volume were calculated.

Results: The coronary CT angiography showed 106 patients who had coronary artery pathology (178 lesions), 21 patients with moderate stenosis (27 lesions), 12 patients with severe stenosis (18 lesions), and 6 patients with complete occlusion (8 lesions). EAT thickness, EAT volume, and Gensini score were statistically different among groups (FT=32.306, FV=27.743, F=110.483, P=.000). Pearson correlation analysis showed that Gensini score had significantly positive correlation with EAT thickness and volume, respectively.

Conclusion: EAT thickness and volume demonstrated a positive correlation with severity of coronary artery stenosis.

Keywords: 64-slice CT; Coronary artery stenosis; Epicardial adipose tissue; Risk factor.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adiposity*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Algorithms
  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Coronary Stenosis / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Stenosis / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography / methods*
  • Pericardium / diagnostic imaging*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index