Evaluation of relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and vascular calcification in patients with severe aortic stenosis

Abstract

Background and Aims : Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the true visceral fat depot of the heart that covers 80% of the cardiac surfaces and accounts for approximately 20% of total heart weight. EAT produces atherogenic adipokines and accelerates atherogenic process. We aimed to evaluate relationship between EAT and vascular calcification in patients who underwent TAVR.Methods: All of the patients who underwent CT for TAVR planning between 2013 and 2020 were screened. EAT volume and parameters regarding vascular calcification were measured from CT images. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to EAT volumes.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)Conclusions: EAT is an important opportunistic cardiovascular risk factor that can be easily detected via echocardiography or cardiac CT. Despite coronary artery disease frequency did not increase in conjunction with EAT volume in our study, renal artery stenosis is more frequent in patients with higher EAT volumes. Background and Aims : Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the true visceral fat depot of the heart that covers 80% of the cardiac surfaces and accounts for approximately 20% of total heart weight. EAT produces atherogenic adipokines and accelerates atherogenic process. We aimed to evaluate relationship between EAT and vascular calcification in patients who underwent TAVR. Methods: All of the patients who underwent CT for TAVR planning between 2013 and 2020 were screened. EAT volume and parameters regarding vascular calcification were measured from CT images. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to EAT volumes. Conclusions: EAT is an important opportunistic cardiovascular risk factor that can be easily detected via echocardiography or cardiac CT. Despite coronary artery disease frequency did not increase in conjunction with EAT volume in our study, renal artery stenosis is more frequent in patients with higher EAT volumes.