Coronary Atherosclerotic Markers Research Articles

Sex-Related Differences in the Association of BMI and Pericardial Fat Volume With Coronary Atherosclerotic Markers in Young.

We assessed sex-related differences in the association of pericardial fat volume (PFV) and obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) with coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcium score [CAC], coronary luminal stenosis severity, and coronary plaque) in young patients. Patients (n = 174; age <50 years) with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent 64-slice multidetector computed tomography angiography were enrolled. Females tended to have a younger age and increased BMI, normal coronary arteries (free from luminal stenosis), and increased percentage of absent coronary plaque compared with males. There was a significant independent association between PFV with coronary luminal stenosis and between PFV and BMI with coronary noncalcified plaque presence after adjustment for conventional cardiac risk factors. On the other hand, males showed a more increment in PFV, CAC, percentage of calcified plaque, and percentage of significant coronary luminal stenosis compared with females. There was a significant independent association of PFV with CAC, significant coronary stenosis, and calcified plaque presence, while no association was observed between BMI with coronary markers in young males. In conclusion, PFV, but not BMI, showed a significant independent association with advanced coronary atherosclerosis in young male patients.

Pericardial adiposity versus body adiposity measured by BMI in the assessment of coronary atherosclerosis burden in patients with hypertension

ABSTRACT Objectives The link between obesity and hypertension with coronary atherosclerosis is complex. We aimed to assess the association of cardiac fat deposition measured by pericardial fat volume(PFV) using by multi-detector CT(MDCT) and general obesity measured by BMI with subclinical coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcium score (CAC), coronary plaque and stenosis) in patients with hypertension and suspected coronary artery disease. Methods Among 496 patients presenting with chest pain who underwent 64-slice MDCT angiography to exclude occlusive coronary disease, 261 patients with hypertension (age: 57 ± 8 years, 45% males) enrolled in the present study. Results PFV showed a significant association with CAC(r = 0.2,P = .001),coronary stenosis severity(PFV median(IQR) 88(63–161) in patients with coronary stenosis<50% compared to PFV median(IQR) 125(85–140) in patients with coronary stenosis ≥ 50%, P = .001) and coronary plaque presence (PFV median (IQR) 89(65–128) in patients without plaque compared to PFV median (IQR) 115(74–150) in patients with plaque presence = 0.03).the significant association of PFV with CAC[odds ratio(95% confidence interval = 0.5(0.19–0.97),P = .001] and coronary stenosis severity [odds ratio(95% confidence interval = 1.1(1.00–1.01),P = .01]persisted after adjustment for conventional cardiac risk. BMI showed a significant association with significant coronary stenosis presence (P = .02).The association of BMI with significant coronary stenosis presence after adjustment for conventional cardiac risk factors (P = .03).BMI showed no significant association with CAC and coronary plaque presence (P > .05). Conclusion PFV showed a significant independent association with coronary calcification and significant coronary stenosis in patients with hypertension rather than BMI.

Pericardial fat volume and coronary atherosclerotic markers among body mass index groups.

BackgroundIncreased pericardial fat volume (PFV) is associated with coronary atherosclerosis burden independent of body mass index (BMI) in many clinical studies. However, the association of PFV with markers of coronary atherosclerosis has not yet been assessed by dividing the patients according to BMI categories.HypothesisTo assess the association of PFV measured by multi‐detector CT (MDCT) angiography with coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcium score [CAC], plaque type, and luminal stenosis) among BMI categories.MethodsA total of 496 patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent 64‐slice MDCT angiography examination were enrolled. Patients divided into obese, overweight, and normal weight groups according to BMI degree.ResultsPFV showed a significant association with CAC, non‐calcified coronary plaque, and significant coronary stenosis in obese group. After adjusting for cardiac risk factors, the association of PFV with the non‐calcified coronary plaque and significant coronary stenosis persisted. There was a significant association between PFV with CAC and significant coronary stenosis in normal weight group. The association between PFV with CAC and significant coronary stenosis in normal weight was persisted afar adjusting for cardiac risk factors. No significant association was noted between PFV with coronary plaque type in normal weight group. There was no significant independent association between PFV with coronary atherosclerotic markers in overweight group.ConclusionsIncreased PFV was associated with advanced stage atherosclerosis in normal weight group, while increased PFV was associated with non‐calcified plaque in obese. These results highlight the differential relationship of PFV with coronary atherosclerotic markers among BMI categories.

Pericardial fat versus BMI in the assessment of coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with diabetes mellitus.

To investigate the association of obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) versus pericardial fat volume (PFV) measured by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) with coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcium score (CAC), coronary stenosis severity and coronary plaque presence) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Among 496 patients with suspected coronary artery disease who underwent 64-slice MDCT angiography to exclude occlusive coronary artery disease, 102 patients with DM were enrolled in the present study. PFV showed a significant association with CAC (r = 0.2, P = 0.01) and significant coronary artery stenosis [PFV median (IQR) = 75 (51-136) in patients with coronary stenosis < 50% versus PFV median (IQR) = 113 (68-140) in patients with coronary stenosis ≥ 50%, P = 0.01] while there was no significant association of PFV with coronary plaque presence (PFV median (IQR) = 84 (56-140) in patients without plaque versus PFV median (IQR) = 109 (70-136) in patients with plaque presence, P = 0.4). The association between PFV with CAC persisted after adjustment for conventional cardiac risk factors. BMI showed no significant association with CAC, coronary stenosis severity and coronary plaque presence (P > 0.05). PFV was independently associated with CAC in diabetic patients. PFV, rather than obesity measured by BMI, could be used as an imaging biomarker for assessing coronary atherosclerotic burden in patients with DM.

Digit ratio and hair color relationships with coronary atherosclerotic markers.

Objective We aimed to investigate the association between body phenotype markers and coronary atherosclerosis markers. Methods Eighty-nine patients (mean age 57 ± 9 years, 50.5% male) who were assessed for coronary artery disease by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography angiography were enrolled in the study. Results A significant positive association was observed between coronary artery calcification and the second to fourth digit ratio ( r = 0.2, p = 0.00); more notably in males compared to females ( p = 0.03 vs. p = 0.08). There was a significant association between coronary artery calcification and pure white hair ( p = 0.00). There was no significant association between pericardial fat volume and second to fourth digit ratio ( p = 0.8). Pericardial fat volume was significantly associated with pure white hair ( p = 0.02). A significant association was observed between coronary plaque and a higher second to fourth digit ratio ( p = 0.01) and this was more notable in males ( p = 0.04). A significant association was observed between pure white hair and coronary plaque ( p = 0.00). After adjustment for conventional cardiac risk factors, the association of coronary artery calcification and coronary plaque with the second to fourth digit ratio did not persist, whereas the association of pericardial fat volume and coronary artery calcification with pure white hair remained significant ( p = 0.01 and p = 0.00, respectively). Conclusion These results suggest a possible predictive value of hair color, rather than digit ratio, in assessing increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis and cardiac fat deposition.

White-coat hypertension during coronary computed tomography angiography is associated with higher coronary atherosclerotic burden.

White-coat hypertension (WCH) is a prevalent entity, which has been associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Assess whether WCH is associated with a higher coronary atherosclerotic burden, evaluated by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. A total of 1362 patients who performed CCTA and simultaneous CAC for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) were prospectively enrolled in a single-center registry and divided into three groups: (A) patients with normal blood pressure (BP) (n=386); (B) patients with WCH (n=174; without a history of hypertension or antihypertensive medication, but with systolic BP ≥140 and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg before examination acquisition); and (C) patients with hypertension (n=802). The following coronary atherosclerotic markers were evaluated: CAC above the 50th percentile (CAC>p50), prevalence of CAD (any plaque), and obstructive CAD (plaque with>50% stenosis). Patients with WCH had a higher coronary atherosclerotic burden compared with patients with normal BP for all markers (30.5 vs. 19.4%, P=0.004 for CAC>p50; 50.6 vs. 36.8%, P=0.002 for CAD, any plaque; and 13.8 vs. 8.3%, P=0.045 for obstructive CAD). On multivariate analysis, WCH was an independent predictor of a CAC>p50 [odds ratio (OR) 1.563, 95% confidence interval 1.018-2.400, P=0.041], but not of the presence of CAD (any plaque) (OR 1.335, P=0.169) or obstructive CAD (OR 1.376, P=0.301). In this registry of patients, WCH was an independent predictor of a CAC above the p50. It was also associated with higher other markers of coronary atherosclerotic burden, such as the presence of CAD on CCTA, compared with patients with normal BP.

Epicardial fat and BMI relationships with coronary atherosclerotic markers in patients with coronary calcium score >0: The effect of age and gender

Objectives: To study the effect of age and gender on the relationship of obesity measures(EFV and BMI) with coronary atherosclerotic markers (croaonry calcificed plaque(CCP) and coronary artery obstructive disease (CAD)) in patients with coronary calcium score >0(CAC).

ABO blood group differences relationship with coronary atherosclerotic markers

BackgroundThe mechanisms linking ABO blood group to coronary atherosclerosis is inconsistent and not fully understood. ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between ABO blood groups with coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcification (CAC), coronary plaque presence and coronary luminal stenosis (CAD)) and pericardial fat volume (PFV) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease assessed by Multidetector CT angiography (MDCT). Patients and methodsTwo hundred twenty consecutive patients who underwent 64-slice MDCT angiography for assessment of coronary artery disease were recruited. Of these, 180 patients (97 females (54%) and 83 males (46%) with a mean age of 51.7 ± 12 years) were found to be eligible and were enrolled in the study. ResultsWe classified the blood groups into O blood group (51.6%) and non O blood group (38%). There were no significant differences in the distribution of CAC, CAD, PFV and coronary plaque presence between different blood groups (P > 0.05). The distribution of major cardiovascular risk factors did not differ significantly among the ABO blood groups, except for a significant association between O blood group and smoking (P = 0.04).Adjustment for age and sex showed no significant associations between blood groups with coronary atherosclerotic markers or PFV (P > 0.05). Non O blood group were significantly correlated with CAC (P = 0.01), coronary plaque (P = 0.04) and PFV (P = 0.03) after adjustment for CAD and CAC. ConclusionNo significant relationship were observed between ABO blood groups with coronary atherosclerotic markers and PFV. Non O blood group showed a significant correlation with CAC and PFV after adjustment for CAC and CAD.

Influence of the age on the correlation of obesity measures with coronary atherosclerotic markers

Abstract Objectives To assess the influence of age on the association of pericardial fat volume (PFV), weight and body mass index (BMI) with coronary stenosis, plaque and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Materials and methods A total of 127 consecutive patients with intermediate pretest probability of ischemic heart disease who underwent CT angiography examination were enrolled in this study. Of these, only 86 patients were found to be eligible to enroll in this study. Results Statistical analysis was performed in two steps. First we studied the relationship of anthropometric measures and coronary atherosclerotic markers in the whole sample. Second, we classified the patients into two groups according to age: age ⩽50 group [30 patients, 18 (60%) male, 12 (40%) female with age 50 group [56 patients, 38 male (68%), 18 female (32%) with age above 50 years]. PFV was significantly associated with coronary artery stenosis (r = 0.381, P = 0.00) and this association persisted even after dividing the patients into young and older age group while there was inconsistent relationship between PFV and coronary plaque. There was a significant association between PFV and CAC in older age group only (P = 0.03). Weight and body mass index failed to demonstrate a significant association with coronary atherosclerotic markers in both young and older age groups. Conclusion Weight and BMI showed no significant correlation with coronary atherosclerotic markers while PFV as a new imaging marker for obesity showed a significant correlation with coronary atherosclerotic markers particularly stenosis severity.

MDCT for aortic root calcification and coronary atherosclerotic markers in postmenopausal women

MDCT for aortic root calcification and coronary atherosclerotic markers in postmenopausal women

Correlations Between Aortic Root Calcification and Coronary Artery Atherosclerotic Markers Assessed Using Multidetector Computed Tomography

Atherosclerosis is a systemic process associated with arterial calcification in multiple vascular beds. This study investigated correlations between aortic root calcification (ARC) quantified using Agatston and volumetric scoring methods with coronary atherosclerotic markers (coronary artery calcification [CAC], calcified plaques, and luminal stenosis). This cross-sectional study was carried out between January and December 2013. One hundred ninety-six consecutive patients with intermediate pretest probability of ischemic heart disease who underwent 64-slice multidetector computed tomography angiography were recruited, with 175 patients being eligible to enroll in the study. A significant correlation was observed between ARC and total CAC using the Agatston and volumetric scoring methods (r=0.225; P=.003 and r=0.243; P=.001, respectively). With regard to individual coronary vessel calcification and ARC, a significant correlation was observed between ARC and left main stem artery calcification calculated using the volumetric and Agatston scoring methods (P<.05). A significant correlation was observed between high ARC and presence of coronary calcified plaque measured using the Agatston and volumetric scoring methods. A strong correlation was also observed between ARC and number of coronary stenotic vessels measured using the Agatston and volumetric scoring methods (r=0.67; P<.001 and r=0.63; P<.001, respectively). ARC can be used as an additional marker to assess coronary atherosclerosis and may have a complementary role with CAC for detection of coronary artery disease.