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A greater amount of epicardial adipose tissue at baseline independently predicts the development of non-calcified coronary plaque in asymptomatic individuals. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

August 8, 2016Open Access

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Contributes to the Development of Non-Calcified Coronary Plaque: A 5-Year Computed Tomography Follow-up Study

Structured PICO

Does greater baseline epicardial fat volume index predict the development of non-calcified coronary plaque in asymptomatic individuals?

Population

122 asymptomatic Korean individuals aged ≥40 years (mean age 56.0, 80.3% male) without prior history of CAD, metabolic syndrome, clinically significant valvular heart disease, or cardiomyopathy, and without non-calcified plaque or obstructive CAD (≥70% stenosis) at baseline cardiac CT.

Intervention

Higher baseline epicardial fat volume index (EFVi) measured via cardiac CT (3rd tertile)

Comparator

Lower baseline epicardial fat volume index (1st tertile as reference)

Outcome

Development of non-calcified coronary plaque (NCP) on follow-up CT at median 65.4 monthssurrogate

Greater baseline epicardial fat volume independently predicts the development of non-calcified coronary plaque in asymptomatic individuals, suggesting its utility for cardiovascular risk stratification.

Abstract

AIM: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been suggested as a contributing factor for coronary atherosclerosis based on the previous cross-sectional studies and pathophysiologic background. However, a causal relationship between EAT and the development of non-calcified coronary plaque (NCP) has not been investigated. METHODS: ) was assessed in relation to the development of NCP on the follow-up CT where the results were classified into "calcified plaque (CP)," "no plaque," and "NCP" groups. RESULTS: ; P=0.021). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of diabetes (OR, 9.081; 95% CI, 1.682-49.034; P=0.010) and the 3rd tertile of EFVi (OR, 4.297; 95% CI, 1.040-17.757; P=0.044 compared to the 1st tertile) were the significant predictors for the development of NCP on follow-up CT. CONCLUSIONS: Greater amount of EAT at baseline CT independently predicts the development of NCP in asymptomatic individuals.

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