Publication

Epicardial Adipose Tissue is Associated with Plaque Burden and Composition and provides Incremental Value for the Prediction of Cardiac Outcome. A Clinical Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography Study

Cardiac

PLoS One. 2016 May 17;11(5):e0155120.

Authors:

G. Gitsioudis, C. Schmahl, A. Missiou, A. Voss, A. Schüssler, H. Abdel-Aty, SJ Buss, D. Mueller, M. Vembar , M. Bryant, HU. Kauczor, E. Giannitsis, HA. Katus, G. Korosoglou

Summary

The study investigated the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume, coronary plaque characteristics, and cardiac outcomes in 177 intermediate-risk patients undergoing cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Key findings include:

Association with Plaque Burden: Patients with ≥50% coronary luminal narrowing had significantly higher EAT volumes (median 119 cm³ vs. 108 cm³, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis confirmed EAT volume independently correlated with plaque burden (number of lesions: r = 0.29, p = 0.026) and CAD severity (luminal narrowing: r = 0.23, p = 0.038) after adjusting for BMI, diabetes, and lipids.
Biomarker Correlations: EAT volume showed associations with inflammation (hs-CRP) and myocardial injury (hs-TnT), suggesting a link between EAT-driven paracrine effects and plaque vulnerability.
Prognostic Value: Over a median follow-up of 2.5 years, elevated EAT volume independently predicted cardiac events (e.g., myocardial infarction, revascularization) after adjusting for traditional risk factors, CAD presence, hs-CRP, and hs-TnT (HR not specified, p < 0.05)6. However, this predictive value diminished when maximal luminal narrowing was included in the model.

The study highlights EAT volume as a biomarker for plaque burden and a potential tool for risk stratification in intermediate-risk patients, underscoring its role beyond conventional risk factors.

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