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Relation of vascular stiffness with epicardial and pericardial adipose tissues, and coronary atherosclerosis

Tae-Young Choi1, Naser Ahmadi, Souraya Sourayanezhad

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang-Si, South Korea.

Atherosclerosis
|March 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vascular stiffness, an early sign of atherosclerosis, is linked to epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue and coronary artery calcium. Increased EAT and PAT correlate with higher vascular stiffness, suggesting adipose tissue

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
  • Metabolic Syndrome Studies

Background:

  • Increased vascular stiffness is an early indicator of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.
  • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) and adipose tissue depots (epicardial and pericardial) are established markers of coronary atherosclerosis and metabolic status, respectively.
  • Understanding the interplay between vascular stiffness, adipose tissue, and coronary atherosclerosis is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between vascular stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT).
  • To assess the association of PWV with the presence and severity of coronary artery calcium (CAC).
  • To determine if adipose tissue depots modify the association between vascular stiffness and coronary atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured using SphygmoCor tonometry in 111 subjects.
  • Cardiac computed tomography (MDCT) used to quantify epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and total thoracic adipose tissue (TAT).
  • Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) calculated as TAT-EAT; significant depots defined by highest tertiles.

Main Results:

  • PWV showed moderate associations with both EAT (r=0.46) and PAT (r=0.41), both p<0.001.
  • PWV increased proportionally with CAC severity.
  • Significant EAT, PAT, and CAC (≥100) were independently associated with increased PWV, with combined CAC and adipose tissue showing amplified risk.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated vascular stiffness is significantly associated with increased EAT, PAT, and coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Epicardial adipose tissue demonstrated a higher relative risk for increased PWV compared to CAC.
  • Adipose tissue depots, particularly EAT, play a notable role in the development and progression of vascular stiffness.
Abstract

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