Relationship between the volume of perivascular adipose tissue and the vascular wall lesion

Aim . To study the relationship between the volume of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and the vascular wall lesion. Material and methods . The study included 318 patients without cardiovascular disease (mean age, 63,5±13,7 years). Hypertension was detected in 268 (84,3%) patients. All patients underwent assessment of anthropometric characteristics, lipid profile, arterial wall stiffness with the estimation of cardio-ankle vascular index, intima-media thickness, brachial artery endothelial vasomotor function. Chest computed tomography was performed with the estimation of the volumes of PVAT and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT). Results . The volume of PVAT, on average, was 0,3 0,2; 0,4 cm3 . The VAT volume was significantly higher in obese individuals when compared with patients with normal body weight: 0,4 0,3; 0,5 vs 0,25 0,2; 0,4 cm3 (p=0,0007). The VAT volume was higher in individuals with an increased CAVI level when compared with patients with normal CAVI values: 0,4 0,3; 0,5 vs 0,3 0,25; 0,3 (p=0,02). A significant correlation was found between the VAT volume and body mass index (r=0,27, p<0,005), waist circumference (r=0,41, p<0,005), CAVI (r=0,49, p<0,05), impaired endothelium-dependent brachial artery vasodilation (r=0,38, p<0,05). When performing multiple linear regression, a significant relationship of CAVI was found with age (β±SE, 0,51±0,15; p=0,002) and volume of PVAT (β±SE, 0,41±0,13; p=0,005). Conclusion . The results indicate the relationship of PVAT with visceral obesity and vascular wall stiffness parameters.