Objective: To identify a cut-off value of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume quantified by CT associated with a worse clinical outcome in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.
Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, sixty patients with a diagnosis of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia and a chest CT exam on admission were enrolled. Based on a total severity score (range 0-20), patients were divided into two groups: ordinary group (total severity score < 7) and severe/critical group (total severity score > 7). Clinical results and EAT volume were compared between the two groups.
Results: The severe/critical patients, compared to the ordinary ones, were older (66.83 ± 11.72 vs 58.57 ± 16.86 years; p = 0.031), had higher body mass index (27.77 ± 2.11 vs 25.07 ± 2.80 kg/m2; p < 0.001) and higher prevalence of comorbidities. EAT volume was higher in severe/critical group, compared with the ordinary group (151.40 ± 66.22 cm3 vs 92.35 ± 44.46 cm3, p < 0.001). In severe/critical group, 19 (73%) patients were admitted in intensive care unit (ICU), compared with 6 (20%) patients in the ordinary group (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) is equal to 0.781 (p < 0.001) (95% CI: 0.662-0.900). The cut-off found, in correspondence with the highest value of the Youden Index, is 97 cm3: the sensitivity is equal to 83.3%, while the specificity is equal to 70% for predicting a worse outcome. The risk (odds ratio) of belonging to the severe/critical group in this population due to EAT ≥ 97 cm3 is 11.667 (95% CI: 3.384-40.220; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: An EAT volume of 97 cm3 has good sensitivity and specificity to predict a greater extent of pulmonary involvement and therefore a worse clinical outcome in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.
Keywords: EAT volume; ICU admission; SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia; Total severity score.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER).