Choosing the Optimal Ultrasound Method for the Measurement of the Amount of Visceral Adipose Tissue

The aim of the study was to determine the best options for the ultrasound (US) evaluation of the amount of visceral adipose tissue (VAT), taking into account the time spent on these investigations, availability of visualization of anatomical landmarks, reproducibility of methods and correlation of the measurement results with data obtained by computed tomography (CT), as well as the operational characteristics of the ROC analysis of the boundary values of the VAT amount in metabolic syndrome, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease (CHD), and erectile dysfunction (ED). The ultrasound measurement of VAT of various localization was performed in 337 patients aged 18-65. The selection of the optimal options for the ultrasound measurement of VAT was based on the qualimetric analysis. For the ultrasound diagnosis of VAT, taking into account the integrative assessment of ranks, it seems optimal to measure the area of the lower part of perinephric adipose tissue, as well as the distance between the inner surface of the rectus abdominis muscle and the anterior or posterior wall of the aorta. Increased thickness of epicardial and pericardial VAT is typical for patients with CHD and ED.