Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression
Published on: January 15, 2022
Cardiovascular Disease from Pathophysiology to Risk Estimation: Is Inflammation Estimated through Perivascular
Domenico Tuttolomondo1, Giampaolo Niccoli1, Chiara Martini2,3
1Department of Cardiology, Parma University Hospital, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy.
Insights
Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measured by CT scans offers a non-invasive method to detect localized vascular inflammation. This technique aids in assessing cardiovascular disease risk and inflammatory conditions in arteries and atria.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Inflammation Research
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Systemic inflammation is a known risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation.
- Localized vascular inflammation plays a key role in coronary atherosclerotic disease development and progression.
- Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is increasingly recognized for its role in vascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on using computed tomography (CT) based perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) attenuation measurement.
- To explore the utility of PVAT attenuation in assessing localized vascular inflammation.
- To highlight the diagnostic potential of PVAT attenuation in various cardiovascular conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of recent scientific literature.
- Focus on computed tomography (CT) derived perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) attenuation measurements.
- Analysis of PVAT attenuation at key anatomical sites: internal carotid artery, aorta, left atrium, and coronary arteries.
Main Results:
- Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) attenuation measurement is a non-invasive method to estimate localized perivascular inflammation.
- This measurement, quantified in Hounsfield units, reflects inflammatory responses in adipose tissue near vessels.
- Evidence supports its application in coronary arteries, aorta, carotid arteries, and atria.
Conclusions:
- Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) attenuation measurement is a valuable, indirect biomarker for localized vascular inflammation.
- It shows potential in assessing coronary microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory states in atrial fibrillation patients.
- The broad applicability of PVAT attenuation measurement enhances cardiovascular disease understanding and management.
Abstract:
(1) Background: Systemic inflammation stands as a well-established risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease, as well as a contributing factor in the development of cardiac arrhythmias, notably atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, scientific studies have brought to light the pivotal role of localized vascular inflammation in the initiation, progression, and destabilization of coronary atherosclerotic disease. (2) Methods: We comprehensively review recent, yet robust, scientific evidence elucidating the use of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measurement on computed tomography applied to key anatomical sites. Specifically, the investigation extends to the internal carotid artery, aorta, left atrium, and coronary arteries. (3) Conclusions: The examination of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation emerges as a non-invasive and indirect means of estimating localized perivascular inflammation. This measure is quantified in Hounsfield units, indicative of the inflammatory response elicited by dense adipose tissue near the vessel or the atrium. Particularly noteworthy is its potential utility in assessing inflammatory processes within the coronary arteries, evaluating coronary microvascular dysfunction, appraising conditions within the aorta and carotid arteries, and discerning inflammatory states within the atria, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. The widespread applicability of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation measurement underscores its significance as a diagnostic tool with considerable potential for enhancing our understanding and management of cardiovascular diseases.
More Related Videos
![Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F3777.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
10:02Quantification of Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Vascular Inflammation using [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography FDG-PET/CT
Published on: May 2, 2012
08:02Author Spotlight: Enhanced Quantification of Cardiovascular Calcification Progression for Longitudinal Micro PET/CT Studies in Small Research Animals
Published on: November 15, 2024
