OBJECTIVES: We assessed the hypothesis that the epicardial fat is associated with coronary lipid plaque. BACKGROUND: Epicardial fat volume (EFV) is increased in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and lipid-rich plaques have been associated with acute coronary events. METHODS: We enrolled 112 individuals who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (66 with ACS; 46 with stable angina pectoris [SAP]) and classified plaque components using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound as calcified, fibrous, or lipid. Possible effects of PCI on plaque data were minimized by assessing 10-mm vessel lengths proximal to the culprit lesions. Total plaque volume and percentage volumes of individual plaque components were calculated. EFV and abdominal visceral fat area were measured using 64-slice computed tomography. RESULTS: ACS patients had significantly higher EFV than did SAP patients (118 ± 44 vs.101 ± 41 mL, p = 0.019). In ACS patients, EFV was correlated with total plaque volume and percentage of lipid plaque (r = 0.27 and 0.31, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, an independent interaction between EFV and lipid-rich plaque (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.07) were revealed. In contrast, in SAP patients, EFV was positively correlated with body mass index and abdominal visceral fat area but not with plaque characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: EFV was associated with lipid-rich plaque in patients with ACS, whereas no correlation between EFV and coronary plaque profile was apparent in SAP patients. Epicardial fat may have a role in the development of lipid plaque, which contributes to the pathogenesis of ACS.
OBJECTIVES: We assessed the hypothesis that the epicardial fat is associated with coronary lipid plaque. BACKGROUND: Epicardial fat volume (EFV) is increased in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and lipid-rich plaques have been associated with acute coronary events. METHODS: We enrolled 112 individuals who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (66 with ACS; 46 with stable angina pectoris [SAP]) and classified plaque components using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound as calcified, fibrous, or lipid. Possible effects of PCI on plaque data were minimized by assessing 10-mm vessel lengths proximal to the culprit lesions. Total plaque volume and percentage volumes of individual plaque components were calculated. EFV and abdominal visceral fat area were measured using 64-slice computed tomography. RESULTS: ACS patients had significantly higher EFV than did SAP patients (118 ± 44 vs.101 ± 41 mL, p = 0.019). In ACS patients, EFV was correlated with total plaque volume and percentage of lipid plaque (r = 0.27 and 0.31, respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, an independent interaction between EFV and lipid-rich plaque (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.07) were revealed. In contrast, in SAP patients, EFV was positively correlated with body mass index and abdominal visceral fat area but not with plaque characteristics. CONCLUSIONS:EFV was associated with lipid-rich plaque in patients with ACS, whereas no correlation between EFV and coronary plaque profile was apparent in SAP patients. Epicardial fat may have a role in the development of lipid plaque, which contributes to the pathogenesis of ACS.
Authors: Nitesh Nerlekar; Adam J Brown; Rahul G Muthalaly; Andrew Talman; Thushan Hettige; James D Cameron; Dennis T L Wong Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2017-08-23 Impact factor: 5.501