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Published on: August 28, 2018

Association of Pericardial Fat with Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

Sunil Kumar K S1, Pankaj Sharma1, Barun Kumar2

  • 1Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India.

The Indian Journal of Radiology & Imaging
|June 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pericardial fat (PF) measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. Higher PF levels correlate with increased CAD risk, suggesting PF as a valuable predictor in subclinical cases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Obesity is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Pericardial fat (PF) measurement via multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) shows potential for early coronary artery disease (CAD) risk assessment.
  • This study is the first in India to investigate the association between PF and CAD severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between PF quantified by MDCT and the severity of CAD.
  • To determine if PF volume is a predictor of CAD.
  • To explore the relationship between PF and established CAD risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 80 patients referred for coronary computed tomography.
  • Periprostatic fat volume (PFV) was quantified using a semi-automated technique during the end-systolic phase.
  • Patients were categorized as "CAD positive" if they showed evidence of CAD.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between PF and age, body mass index, and risk factors like diabetes and family history.
  • Higher PF volumes strongly correlated with higher calcium scores and increased severity of stenosis on computed tomography coronary angiography.
  • The median PFV in the study population was approximately 100 mL, with a range of 28 to 547 mL.

Conclusions:

  • PF is significantly associated with CAD severity.
  • Elevated PF levels are a strong predictor of coronary artery disease.
  • PF measurement using MDCT can serve as a valuable risk predictor for subclinical CAD.
Abstract

Keywords:
coronary angiographycoronary artery calcium scorecoronary artery diseaseepicardial fat volumemultidetector computer tomographypericardial fat volume

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