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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
The association between abdominal body composition and vascular calcification.
Nicole E Jensky1, Michael H Criqui, C Michael Wright
1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA. njensky@ucsd.edu
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|April 9, 2011
Summary
Increased abdominal fat and decreased lean muscle are linked to vascular calcification. This study highlights body composition
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Body Composition Analysis
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasingly recognized.
- Abdominal adipose tissue and skeletal muscle may influence CVD.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for early detection and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between abdominal fat depots (subcutaneous, intermuscular, visceral) and abdominal lean muscle with vascular calcification.
- To determine if body composition influences calcification across multiple vascular beds.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) scans for body composition and calcium scoring.
- Analyzed coronary, carotid, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, and iliac artery calcification.
- Employed multivariable logistic regression models to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Higher ratios of abdominal/visceral fat to total area correlated with increased odds of thoracic aortic calcification.
- Increased abdominal lean muscle was associated with significantly decreased odds of thoracic aortic calcification.
- Similar inverse associations between lean muscle and vascular calcification were observed across other vascular beds.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal adipose tissue is positively associated with prevalent aortic calcification.
- Lean body mass is inversely associated with prevalent aortic calcification.
- These findings suggest body composition is a significant factor in vascular calcification.
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