Decreased Psoas Muscle Computed Tomography Value Predicts Poor Outcome in Peripheral Artery Disease

The prognosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and comorbid sarcopenia is poor. Some reports indicate that the computed tomography (CT) value of skeletal muscle, which reflects intramuscular fat deposition as well as skeletal muscle mass, is considered a marker of sarcopenia. However, it remains unclear if skeletal muscle area and CT value are associated with poor outcomes in patients with PAD.

Psoas muscle area and CT value were measured by manual trace at the level of the third lumbar vertebral body in 327 consecutive patients with PAD undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT). The endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and limb events (MACLE). There were 60 MACLE during the follow-up period. Patients with MACLE had lower mean psoas muscle CT value than those without. However, there was no significant difference in total psoas muscle area between patients with and without MACLE. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the lowest tertile of psoas muscle CT value was associated with the highest risk of MACLE. Multivariate Cox hazard analysis revealed that psoas muscle CT value was associated with MACLE after adjustment for Fontaine class, previous ischemic heart disease, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, brain natriuretic peptide, and serum albumin.

Psoas muscle CT value is a feasible predictor of MACLE in patients with PAD.