Increased Pericardial Adipose Tissue in Smokers.
Gregor S Zimmermann1, Tobias Ruether2, Franz von Ziegler3
1Department of Internal Medicine I, School of Medicine & Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|August 7, 2021
Summary
Smoking significantly increases pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) volume, a marker of heart inflammation and atherosclerosis. This finding was independent of other cardiovascular risk factors, highlighting smoking
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
- Atherosclerosis and Inflammation Studies
Background:
- Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), visceral fat surrounding the heart, is linked to atherosclerosis and inflammation.
- PAT volume correlates with coronary heart disease prevalence and may aid cardiovascular risk prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of smoking on the volume of pericardial adipose tissue (PAT).
- To determine if smoking influences PAT independently of other cardiovascular risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1217 asymptomatic patients (573 smokers, 644 non-smokers) using multislice CT scans.
- Quantification of pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) volume.
- Multivariate analysis to assess smoking's effect on PAT, adjusted for coronary risk factors.
Main Results:
- Mean PAT volume was 215 ± 107 mL; smokers exhibited significantly higher PAT volumes (231 ± 104 mL) than non-smokers (201 ± 99 mL, p=0.03).
- Patients with elevated PAT showed a 2.92-fold increased odds of being smokers (p < 0.001).
- Lower PAT volumes were observed in patients without cardiovascular risk factors compared to those with multiple risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is elevated in smokers, indicating increased atherosclerotic activity and inflammatory burden.
- This association between smoking and increased PAT is independent of metabolic risk factors.
- Elevated PAT in smokers may reflect heightened inflammatory activity compared to non-smokers.
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