Increased Epicardial, Pericardial, and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Is Associated with the Presence and Severity of Coronary Artery Calcium
Key result
Higher epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous fat linked to up to ~230% greater significant CAC risk per SD.
- RR 3.3
- 95% CI 1.9-5.6
- P<0.05
- n=111
Why the study?
Epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissues mediate metabolic risk, but their association with coronary artery calcium presence and severity in asymptomatic individuals required investigation.
Are increased epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium in asymptomatic individuals?
Comparison
Association of visceral and subcutaneous fat depots with CAC severity
Design
Cross-sectional study
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Increased epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes are independently associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium, providing incremental prognostic value over traditional risk factors.
Key Points
- This research aims to explore the relationship between different types of adipose tissue and the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium.
- Analyzed adipose tissue measurements from imaging studies.
- Evaluated the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium in subjects.
- Used statistical analysis to assess the correlation between adipose tissue and coronary artery calcium metrics.
- Higher levels of epicardial adipose tissue are significantly associated with increased coronary artery calcium severity (p<0.05).
- Pericardial and subcutaneous adipose tissues also show positive correlations with coronary artery calcium presence (p<0.01).
- Findings suggest a potential role for adipose tissue in cardiovascular risk assessment applications.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=111)
Blinding
Blinded CT readers
Multicenter
No
Structured PICO
Are increased epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium in asymptomatic individuals?
P
Population
111 asymptomatic adults (mean age 60, 42% female) who underwent coronary artery calcium scanning to assess the association of visceral and subcutaneous fat depots with subclinical atherosclerosis.
E
Exposure
Measurement of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volumes using nonenhanced computed tomography.
O
Outcome
Presence and severity of coronary artery calcium (CAC) defined as 0, 1 to 100, 101 to 400, or ≥ 400 using the Agatston methodsurrogate
Main Result
Relative Risk: 3.3 (95% CI 1.9–5.6)
p-value: p=<0.05
Increased epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes are independently associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium, providing incremental prognostic value over traditional risk factors.
Limitations
- Only asymptomatic individuals who underwent CAC were included.
- The study sample size was relatively small.
- Cross-sectional design limits the ability to predict outcomes.
- only asymptomatic individuals who underwent CAC were included
- study sample size was relatively small
Cite This Study
Ahmadi et al. (2010) conducted a cross-sectional in Asymptomatic individuals at risk for coronary artery disease (n=111). Epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissue vs. Lower levels of adipose tissue was evaluated on Presence of significant coronary artery calcium (CAC ≥ 100 vs CAC 0) (RR 3.3, 95% CI 1.9-5.6, p=<0.05). Each standard deviation increase in epicardial, pericardial, and subcutaneous adipose tissue increased the relative risk of significant coronary artery calcium by 3.3, 2.7, and 2.6, respectively.