Pericardial fat volume and coronary atherosclerotic markers among body mass index groups

Abstract

Background Increased pericardial fat volume (PFV) is associated with coronary atherosclerosis burden independent of body mass index (BMI) in many clinical studies. However, the association of PFV with markers of coronary atherosclerosis has not yet been assessed by dividing the patients according to BMI categories. Hypothesis To assess the association of PFV measured by multi‐detector CT (MDCT) angiography with coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcium score [CAC], plaque type, and luminal stenosis) among BMI categories. Methods A total of 496 patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent 64‐slice MDCT angiography examination were enrolled. Patients divided into obese, overweight, and normal weight groups according to BMI degree. Results PFV showed a significant association with CAC, non‐calcified coronary plaque, and significant coronary stenosis in obese group. After adjusting for cardiac risk factors, the association of PFV with the non‐calcified coronary plaque and significant coronary stenosis persisted. There was a significant association between PFV with CAC and significant coronary stenosis in normal weight group. The association between PFV with CAC and significant coronary stenosis in normal weight was persisted afar adjusting for cardiac risk factors. No significant association was noted between PFV with coronary plaque type in normal weight group. There was no significant independent association between PFV with coronary atherosclerotic markers in overweight group. Conclusions Increased PFV was associated with advanced stage atherosclerosis in normal weight group, while increased PFV was associated with non‐calcified plaque in obese. These results highlight the differential relationship of PFV with coronary atherosclerotic markers among BMI categories.

Association of Epicardial and Pericardial Adipose Tissue Volumes with Coronary Artery Calcification

“…35,36) According to Hassan, et al, PAT volume in the obese group had a strong correlation with CCS and severe coronary stenosis that maintained even after adjusting for cardiac risk variables. On the contrary, no significant independent association was noted between PAT volume and CCS and luminal stenosis in the overweight group, 37) which differs from our results. Some limitations of this present study need to be considered.…”

Pericardial fat volume and coronary risk factors as predictors of non-calcified coronary plaque presence among patients with coronary calcium score = 0

“…The clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained at the time of MDCT examination as in our prior study. 12 Verbal informed consent was obtained from each patient before inclusion in the study.…”

The Epigenetic Role of MiRNAs in Endocrine Crosstalk Between the Cardiovascular System and Adipose Tissue: A Bidirectional View

“…Considering that PAT has more potential to release inflammatory cytokines than subcutaneous fat, it is interesting to investigate its interaction with EAT to explain gene etiology and CAD regulation ( Ding et al, 2008 ; Iacobellis, 2009 ; Hassan et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ). An increased EAT thickness has become a new risk factor for CAD.…”