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Miller RJH, Shanbhag A, Killekar A, Lemley M, Bednarski B, Van Kriekinge SD, Kavanagh PB, Feher A, Miller EJ, Einstein AJ, Ruddy TD, Liang JX, Builoff V, Berman DS, Dey D, Slomka PJ. AI-derived epicardial fat measurements improve cardiovascular risk prediction from myocardial perfusion imaging. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:24. [PMID: 38310123 PMCID: PMC10838293 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and attenuation are associated with cardiovascular risk, but manual annotation is time-consuming. We evaluated whether automated deep learning-based EAT measurements from ungated computed tomography (CT) are associated with death or myocardial infarction (MI). We included 8781 patients from 4 sites without known coronary artery disease who underwent hybrid myocardial perfusion imaging. Of those, 500 patients from one site were used for model training and validation, with the remaining patients held out for testing (n = 3511 internal testing, n = 4770 external testing). We modified an existing deep learning model to first identify the cardiac silhouette, then automatically segment EAT based on attenuation thresholds. Deep learning EAT measurements were obtained in <2 s compared to 15 min for expert annotations. There was excellent agreement between EAT attenuation (Spearman correlation 0.90 internal, 0.82 external) and volume (Spearman correlation 0.90 internal, 0.91 external) by deep learning and expert segmentation in all 3 sites (Spearman correlation 0.90-0.98). During median follow-up of 2.7 years (IQR 1.6-4.9), 565 patients experienced death or MI. Elevated EAT volume and attenuation were independently associated with an increased risk of death or MI after adjustment for relevant confounders. Deep learning can automatically measure EAT volume and attenuation from low-dose, ungated CT with excellent correlation with expert annotations, but in a fraction of the time. EAT measurements offer additional prognostic insights within the context of hybrid perfusion imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J H Miller
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Aakash Shanbhag
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Signal and Image Processing Institute, Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aditya Killekar
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark Lemley
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bryan Bednarski
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Serge D Van Kriekinge
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul B Kavanagh
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Attila Feher
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Edward J Miller
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrew J Einstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and Department of Radiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Terrence D Ruddy
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Joanna X Liang
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Valerie Builoff
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Daniel S Berman
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Damini Dey
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Piotr J Slomka
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine), Imaging and Biomedical Sciences Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Qi M, Janssen I, Barinas-Mitchell E, Budoff M, Brooks MM, Karlamangla AS, Derby CA, Chang CCH, Shields KJ, El Khoudary SR. The quantity and quality of cardiovascular fat at mid-life and future cognitive performance among women: The SWAN cardiovascular fat ancillary study. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:4073-4083. [PMID: 37212597 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular fat is a novel risk factor that may link to dementia. Fat volume and radiodensity are measurements of fat quantity and quality, respectively. Importantly, high fat radiodensity could indicate healthy or adverse metabolic processes. METHODS The associations of cardiovascular fat (including epicardial, paracardial, and thoracic perivascular adipose tissue [PVAT]) quantity and quality assessed at mean age of 51 with subsequent cognitive performance measured repeatedly over 16 years of follow-up were examined using mixed models among 531 women. RESULTS Higher thoracic PVAT volume was associated with a higher future episodic memory (β[standard error (SE)] = 0.08 [0.04], P = 0.033), while higher thoracic PVAT radiodensity with lower future episodic (β[SE] = -0.06 [0.03], P = 0.045) and working (β[SE] = -0.24 [0.08], P = 0.003) memories. The latter association is prominent at higher volume of thoracic PVAT. DISCUSSION Mid-life thoracic PVAT may have a distinct contribution to future cognition possibly due to its distinct adipose tissue type (brown fat) and anatomical proximity to the brain circulation. HIGHLIGHTS Higher mid-life thoracic perivascular adipose tissue (thoracic PVAT) volume is related to a better future episodic memory in women. Higher mid-life thoracic PVAT radiodensity is related to worse future working and episodic memories. Negative association of high thoracic PVAT radiodensity with working memory is prominent at higher thoracic PVAT volume. Mid-life thoracic PVAT is linked to future memory loss, an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. Mid-life women's epicardial and paracardial fat are not related to future cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyuzhen Qi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Imke Janssen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Rush University Rush Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Emma Barinas-Mitchell
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew Budoff
- Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Lundquist Institute, Torrance, California, USA
| | - Maria M Brooks
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arun S Karlamangla
- University of California Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carol A Derby
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine Department of Neurology and Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Chung-Chou H Chang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Samar R El Khoudary
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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Takahashi N, Abe I, Kira S, Ishii Y. Role of epicardial adipose tissue in human atrial fibrillation. J Arrhythm 2023; 39:93-110. [PMID: 37021018 PMCID: PMC10068928 DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent meta-analysis among which four reports were conducted in Japan demonstrated that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after catheter ablation. We previously investigated the role of EAT in AF in humans. Left atrial (LA) appendage samples were obtained from AF patients during cardiovascular surgery. Histologically, the severity of fibrotic EAT remodeling was associated with LA myocardial fibrosis. Total collagen in the LA myocardium (i.e., LA myocardial fibrosis) was positively correlated with proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines/chemokines, including interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α, in EAT. Human peri-LA EAT and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were obtained by autopsy. EAT- or SAT-derived conditioned medium was applied to the rat LA epicardial surface using an organo-culture system. EAT-conditioned medium induced atrial fibrosis in organo-cultured rat atrium. The profibrotic effect of EAT was greater than that of SAT. The fibrotic area of the organo-cultured rat atrium treated with EAT from patients with AF was greater than in patients without AF. Treatment with human recombinant angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) induced fibrosis in organo-cultured rat atrium, which was suppressed by concomitant treatment with anti-Angptl2 antibody. Finally, we attempted to detect fibrotic EAT remodeling on computed tomography (CT) images, which demonstrated that the percent change in EAT fat attenuation was positively correlated with EAT fibrosis. Based on these findings, we conclude that the percent change in EAT fat attenuation determined using CT non-invasively detects EAT remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiko Takahashi
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination Oita University Faculty of Medicine Oita Japan
| | - Ichitaro Abe
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination Oita University Faculty of Medicine Oita Japan
| | - Shintaro Kira
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination Oita University Faculty of Medicine Oita Japan
| | - Yumi Ishii
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination Oita University Faculty of Medicine Oita Japan
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Pre-diabetes is associated with attenuation rather than volume of epicardial adipose tissue on computed tomography. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1623. [PMID: 36709226 PMCID: PMC9884303 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28679-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EATV) is increased in type-2 diabetes (T2D), while its attenuation (EATA) appears to be decreased. Similar patterns have been suggested in pre-diabetes, but data is scarce. In both pre-diabetes and T2D, any independent role of EATV and EATA in disease development remains to be proven, a task complicated by their substantial co-variation with other anthropometrics, e.g. BMI, waist circumference, and abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT). EATV and EATA was quantified in computed tomography (CT) images in a population study (n = 1948) using an automatic technique. Data was available on BMI, waist circumference, abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, insulin resistance (IR) and glucose tolerance, the latter ranging from normal (NGT), over pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose [IFG, n = 414] impaired glucose tolerance [IGT, n = 321] and their combination [CGI, n = 128]), to T2D. EATV was increased in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR in univariable analyses and when adjusting for BMI, however not when adjusting for waist or VAT. EATA was reduced in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR in univariable analyses and when adjusting for BMI and waist, however not when adjusting for VAT. Adjustment for other co-variates had little influence on the results. In conclusion, EATV is increased and EATA reduced in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR, however, significant co-variation with other anthropometrics, especially VAT, obscures their function in disease development. The current results do not exclude a pathophysiological role of epicardial fat, but future studies need to adjust for anthropometrics, or focus on the microenvironment within the pericardial sac.
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Rossi AP, Donadello K, Schweiger V, Zamboni GA, Dalla Valle Z, Zamboni M, Polati E, Gottin L. Epicardial adipose tissue volume and CT-attenuation as prognostic factors for pulmonary embolism and mortality in critically ill patients affected by COVID-19. Eur J Clin Nutr 2023; 77:105-111. [PMID: 36028776 PMCID: PMC9412799 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-022-01197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to evaluate if epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) quantity and quality, as evaluated by computed tomography (CT), have a different role in the risk of mortality and pulmonary embolism in critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). SUBJECTS/METHODS CT derived EAT volume and density, as well as anthropometric and blood biomarkers, were evaluated in a sample of 138 subjects, 109 men and 29 women, for whom CT images and information on pulmonary embolism were available from a total of 313 subjects who were consecutively admitted to the ICU for COVID-19 from the REINSURE-ARDS prospective registry. RESULTS A total of 28 patients (20.3%) died during the first 28 days after ICU admission. 26 subjects out of 138 had pulmonary embolism (18.8%). Age, weight, BMI, IL-6 levels and pulmonary embolism prevalence were significantly higher across EAT volume tertiles. Subjects who died in the first 28 days from ICU admission were older, had higher EAT volume, D-dimer, LDH and IL-6 level. After adjustment for age and gender, participants in tertile 3 of EAT volume had lower survival at 28 days from ICU admission as compared to subjects in the tertile 1, HR 2.95 (95% C.I. 1.02-8.49), but after adjusting for potential confounders the relation was no longer significant. No relation between EAT density and mortality was observed. From a binary logistic regression, subjects in tertile 3 of EAT volume and in tertile 1 of EAT density showed a 4 times and 3.6 times increased risk of pulmonary embolism, respectively. CONCLUSIONS ICU subjects affected by severe COVID-19 with higher EAT volume and low EAT density should be carefully monitored and managed with a prompt and aggressive approach, to prevent serious and life-threatening consequences and the increase of hospital treatment costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea P Rossi
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Ospedale Cà Foncello, Treviso, Italy.
| | - Katia Donadello
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Verona, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care B Unit, University of Verona, AOUI-University Hospital Integrated Trust, Verona, Italy
| | - Vittorio Schweiger
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Verona, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care B Unit, University of Verona, AOUI-University Hospital Integrated Trust, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Zeno Dalla Valle
- Department of Medicine, Geriatrics Division, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mauro Zamboni
- Department of Medicine, Geriatrics Division, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Enrico Polati
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Verona, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care B Unit, University of Verona, AOUI-University Hospital Integrated Trust, Verona, Italy
| | - Leonardo Gottin
- Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, University of Verona, Cardiothoracic Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, AOUI-University Hospital Integrated Trust, Verona, Italy
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Waddell HMM, Moore MK, Herbert-Olsen MA, Stiles MK, Tse RD, Coffey S, Lamberts RR, Aitken-Buck HM. Identifying sex differences in predictors of epicardial fat cell morphology. Adipocyte 2022; 11:325-334. [PMID: 35531882 PMCID: PMC9122305 DOI: 10.1080/21623945.2022.2073854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Predictors of overall epicardial adipose tissue deposition have been found to vary between males and females. Whether similar sex differences exist in epicardial fat cell morphology is currently unknown. This study aimed to determine whether epicardial fat cell size is associated with different clinical measurements in males and females. Fat cell sizes were measured from epicardial, paracardial, and appendix adipose tissues of post-mortem cases (N= 118 total, 37 females). Epicardial, extra-pericardial, and visceral fat volumes were measured by computed tomography from a subset of cases (N= 70, 22 females). Correlation analyses and stepwise linear regression were performed to identify predictors of fat cell size in males and females. Median fat cell sizes in all depots did not differ between males and females. Body mass index (BMI) and age were independently predictive of epicardial, paracardial, and appendix fat cell sizes in males, but not in females. Epicardial and appendix fat cell sizes were associated with epicardial and visceral fat volumes, respectively, in males only. In females, paracardial fat cell size was associated with extra-pericardial fat volume, while appendix fat cell size was associated with BMI only. No predictors were associated with epicardial fat cell size in females at the univariable or multivariable levels. To conclude, no clinical measurements were useful surrogates of epicardial fat cell size in females, while BMI, age, and epicardial fat volume were independent, albeit weak, predictors in males only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. M. Waddell
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Matthew K. Moore
- Department of Medicine, HeartOtago, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Morgan A. Herbert-Olsen
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Martin K. Stiles
- Department of Cardiology, Waikato District Health Board, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Rexson D. Tse
- Department of Forensic Pathology, LabPLUS, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sean Coffey
- Department of Medicine, HeartOtago, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Cardiology, Dunedin Hospital, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Regis R. Lamberts
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hamish M. Aitken-Buck
- Department of Physiology, HeartOtago, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Cheładze P, Martuszewski A, Poręba R, Gać P. The Importance of the Assessment of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Scientific Research. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195621. [PMID: 36233489 PMCID: PMC9570982 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) exhibits morphological similarities with pericardial adipose tissue, however, it has different embryological origin and vascularization. EAT is a metabolically active organ and a major source of anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory adipokines, which have a significant impact on cardiac function and morphology. Moreover, it can regulate vascular tone by releasing various molecules. The relationship between EAT and cardiovascular disease and diseases of other organ systems is now considered a common discussion subject. The present clinical review article summarizes the epidemiological findings based on imaging techniques in studies conducted so far. In conclusion, evaluation of the epicardial adipose tissue constitutes a helpful scientific parameter, which can be assessed by means of different diagnostic imaging examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Cheładze
- Centre for Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Weigla 5, PL 50-981 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Adrian Martuszewski
- Department of Population Health, Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, PL 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Poręba
- Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, PL 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Paweł Gać
- Centre for Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Weigla 5, PL 50-981 Wroclaw, Poland
- Department of Population Health, Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, PL 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence: or
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Goel V, Spear E, Cameron W, Thakur U, Sultana N, Chan J, Tan S, Joshi M, Roberts A, Cheen YC, Youn H, Dey D, Davis E, Nicholls S, Brown A, Nerlekar N. Breast arterial calcification and epicardial adipose tissue volume, but not density are independently associated with cardiovascular risk. Int J Cardiol 2022; 360:78-82. [PMID: 35618106 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammographically detected breast arterial calcification (BAC) has been proposed as surrogate marker for coronary artery disease (CAD) in women. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and peri-coronary adipose tissue (PCAT) are inflammatory fat depots linked to atherogenesis. BAC has demonstrated association with inflammation, therefore we aimed to determine the association between BAC, EAT and PCAT. METHODS Single-centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study of women with digital mammography and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). EAT and PCAT were quantitively assessed using semi-automated software. Patient demographics and cardiovascular risk factors were obtained from medical records and mammograms reviewed for BAC. Pre-test cardiovascular risk was determined with CAD Consortium Score. Chi-square, t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess between group differences. Multivariable linear and logistic regression modelling was conducted to adjust for confounders. RESULTS Among 153 patients (age 61, SD 11) included in this study, BAC was present in 37 (24%) patients. BAC-positive patients had higher EAT volume (EATv) (110.2 mL, SD 41 mL vs 94.4 mL, SD 41 mL, p = 0.02) but this association was not significant after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (p = 0.26). BAC did not associate with EAT density or PCAT. BAC and EATv were strongly associated with cardiovascular risk and CAD independent of each other: CV risk (BAC OR 7.55 (3.26-18.49), p < 0.001, EATv OR 1.02 (1.01-1.03), p < 0.001), CAD presence (BAC OR 4.26 (1.39-13), p = 0.01; EATv OR 1.01 (1.0-1.03), p = 0.04). CONCLUSION BAC and EATv are independent predictors of CV risk and CAD, but don't independently associate with each other, the relationship confounded by shared cardiovascular risk factors. BAC doesn't appear to associate with adipose tissue density and its presence may be cumulative result of long-term exposure to CV risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Goel
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ella Spear
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - William Cameron
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Udit Thakur
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nushrat Sultana
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jasmine Chan
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean Tan
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mitwa Joshi
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Roberts
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yeong Chee Cheen
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Blackburn Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hannah Youn
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damini Dey
- Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd #2900A, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Esther Davis
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Blackburn Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Nicholls
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Blackburn Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam Brown
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Blackburn Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nitesh Nerlekar
- Monash University, Wellington Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Monash Health, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton 3168, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Heart Institute, Blackburn Rd, Clayton 3800, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne 3004, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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9
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Epicardial Adipose Tissue: A Novel Potential Imaging Marker of Comorbidities Caused by Chronic Inflammation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142926. [PMID: 35889883 PMCID: PMC9316118 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation of correlations between obesity and chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases has led to the emergence of strong interests in “adipocyte biology”, in particular in relation to a specific visceral adipose tissue that is the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and its pro-inflammatory role. In recent years, different imaging techniques frequently used in daily clinical practice have tried to obtain an EAT quantification. We provide a useful update on comorbidities related to chronic inflammation typical of cardiac adiposity, analyzing how the EAT assessment could impact and provide data on the patient prognosis. We assessed for eligibility 50 papers, with a total of 10,458 patients focusing the review on the evaluation of EAT in two main contexts: cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Given its peculiar properties and rapid responsiveness, EAT could act as a marker to investigate the basal risk factor and follow-up conditions. In the future, EAT could represent a therapeutic target for new medications. The assessment of EAT should become part of clinical practice to help clinicians to identify patients at greater risk of developing cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases and to provide information on their clinical and therapeutic outcomes.
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Higher epicardial fat in older adults living with HIV with viral suppression and relationship with liver steatosis, coronary calcium and cardiometabolic risks. AIDS 2022; 36:1073-1081. [PMID: 35212667 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES HIV infection is associated with ectopic fat deposition, which leads to chronic inflammation and cardiometabolic dysregulation. We assessed the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume and its associated factors among people with HIV (PWH). DESIGN A cross-sectional study. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among PWH aged at least 50 years and age-matched and sex-matched HIV-negative older individuals in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants underwent a noncontrast, cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan to assess coronary artery calcium (CAC) score and EAT between March 2016 and June 2017. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to investigate HIV-related factors, cardiac and metabolic markers associated with EAT volume. RESULTS Median age was 55 years [interquartile range (IQR) 52-60] and 63% were men. Median duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was 16 years with 97% had HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml and median CD4 + cell count of 617 cells/μl. Median EAT volume was significantly higher in PWH [99 (IQR 75-122) cm 3 ] than HIV-negative individuals [93 (IQR 69-117) cm 3 ], P = 0.022. In adjusted model, factors associated with EAT volume included male sex ( P = 0.045), older age ( P < 0.001), abnormal waist circumference ( P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR ( P = 0.01). In addition, higher CAC score was independently associated with EAT volume. Higher mean EAT volume was seen in PWH with severe liver steatosis than those without steatosis ( P = 0.018). In adjusted PWH-only model, duration of HIV was significantly associated with higher EAT volume ( P = 0.028). CONCLUSION In an aging cohort, PWH had higher EAT volume than HIV-negative controls. EAT was also independently associated with central fat accumulation, insulin resistance, liver steatosis and CAC score.
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Cardiovascular computed tomography and HIV: The evolving role of imaging biomarkers in enhanced risk prediction. IMAGING 2021. [DOI: 10.1556/1647.2021.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with antiretroviral (ARV) medications has revolutionised the care for these patients. The dramatic increase in life expectancy has brought new challenges in treating diseases of aging in this cohort. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now a leading cause of morbidity and mortality with risk matched HIV-positive patients having double the risk of MI compared to HIV-negative patients. This enhanced risk is secondary to the interplay the virus (and accessory proteins), ARV medications and traditional risk factors. The culmination of these factors can lead to a hybrid metabolic syndrome characterised by heightened ectopic fat. Cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) is ideal for quantifying epicardial adipose tissue volumes, hepatosteatosis and cardiovascular disease burden. The CVD risk attributed to disease burden and plaque morphology is well established in general populations but is less clear in HIV populations. The purpose of this review article is to appraise the latest data on CVD development in HIV-positive patients and how the use of cardiovascular CT may be used to enhance risk prediction in this population. This may have important implications on individualised treatment decisions and risk reduction strategies which will improve the care of these patients.
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Artificial intelligence based automatic quantification of epicardial adipose tissue suitable for large scale population studies. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23905. [PMID: 34903773 PMCID: PMC8669008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03150-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To develop a fully automatic model capable of reliably quantifying epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volumes and attenuation in large scale population studies to investigate their relation to markers of cardiometabolic risk. Non-contrast cardiac CT images from the SCAPIS study were used to train and test a convolutional neural network based model to quantify EAT by: segmenting the pericardium, suppressing noise-induced artifacts in the heart chambers, and, if image sets were incomplete, imputing missing EAT volumes. The model achieved a mean Dice coefficient of 0.90 when tested against expert manual segmentations on 25 image sets. Tested on 1400 image sets, the model successfully segmented 99.4% of the cases. Automatic imputation of missing EAT volumes had an error of less than 3.1% with up to 20% of the slices in image sets missing. The most important predictors of EAT volumes were weight and waist, while EAT attenuation was predicted mainly by EAT volume. A model with excellent performance, capable of fully automatic handling of the most common challenges in large scale EAT quantification has been developed. In studies of the importance of EAT in disease development, the strong co-variation with anthropometric measures needs to be carefully considered.
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Monti CB, Schiaffino S, Galimberti Ortiz MDM, Capra D, Zanardo M, De Benedictis E, Luporini AG, Spagnolo P, Secchi F, Sardanelli F. Potential role of epicardial adipose tissue as a biomarker of anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Insights Imaging 2021; 12:161. [PMID: 34741673 PMCID: PMC8571675 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-021-01069-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background We investigated the radiodensity of epicardial (EAT), subcutaneous (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) before and after treatment with anthracyclines in a population of breast cancer (BC) patients, and in controls not treated with anthracyclines, to detect a potential role of EAT density as a biomarker of changes related to chemotherapy cardiotoxicity. Methods We reviewed BC patients treated with anthracyclines who underwent CT before (CT-t0) and after (CT-t1) chemotherapy, and age- and sex-matched controls who underwent two CT examinations at comparable intervals. On non-contrast scans, EAT was segmented contouring the pericardium and thresholding between -190 and -30 Hounsfield units (HU), and SAT and VAT were segmented with two 15-mm diameter regions of interest thresholded between -195 and -45 HU. Results Thirty-two female patients and 32 controls were included. There were no differences in age (p = 0.439) and follow-up duration (p = 0.162) between patients and controls. Between CT-t0 and CT-t1, EAT density decreased in BC patients (-66 HU, interquartile range [IQR] -71 to -63 HU, to -71 HU, IQR -75 to -66 HU, p = 0.003), while it did not vary in controls (p = 0.955). SAT density increased from CT-t0 to CT-t1 in BC patients (-107 HU, IQR -111 to -105 HU, to -105 HU, IQR -110 to -100 HU, p = 0.014), whereas it did not change in controls (p = 0.477). VAT density did not vary in either BC patients (p = 0.911) or controls (p = 0.627). Conclusions EAT density appears to be influenced by anthracycline treatment for BC, well known for its cardiotoxicity, shifting towards lower values indicative of a less active metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Beatrice Monti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Simone Schiaffino
- Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, 20097, San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Maria Del Mar Galimberti Ortiz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Capra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Moreno Zanardo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena De Benedictis
- Unit of Medical Oncology, Policlinico Di Monza, Via Amati 111, 20900, Monza, Italy
| | - Alberto Gianluigi Luporini
- Unit of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, 20097, San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Pietro Spagnolo
- Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, 20097, San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Francesco Secchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy.,Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, 20097, San Donato Milanese, Italy
| | - Francesco Sardanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milano, Italy.,Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Via Morandi 30, 20097, San Donato Milanese, Italy
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Cardiac Telocytes 16 Years on-What Have We Learned So Far, and How Close Are We to Routine Application of the Knowledge in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222010942. [PMID: 34681601 PMCID: PMC8535888 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222010942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The regeneration of a diseased heart is one of the principal challenges of modern cardiovascular medicine. There has been ongoing research on stem-cell-based therapeutic approaches. A cell population called telocytes (TCs) described only 16 years ago largely contributed to the research area of cardiovascular regeneration. TCs are cells with small bodies and extremely long cytoplasmic projections called telopodes, described in all layers of the heart wall. Their functions include cell-to-cell signaling, stem-cell nursing, mechanical support, and immunoregulation, to name but a few. The functional derangement or quantitative loss of TCs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and many other conditions. The exact pathomechanisms are still unknown, but the loss of regulative, integrative, and nursing functions of TCs may provide important clues. Therefore, a viable avenue in the future modern management of these conditions is TC-based cell therapy. TCs have been previously transplanted into a mouse model of myocardial infarction with promising results. Tandem transplantation with stem cells may provide additional benefit; however, many underresearched areas need to be addressed in future research before routine application of TC-based cell therapy in human subjects. These include the standardization of protocols for isolation, cultivation, and transplantation, quantitative optimization of TC transplants, cost-effectivity analysis, and many others.
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Monti CB, Capra D, Zanardo M, Guarnieri G, Schiaffino S, Secchi F, Sardanelli F. CT-derived epicardial adipose tissue density: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Radiol 2021; 143:109902. [PMID: 34482178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of our work was to systematically review and meta-analyze epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) density values reported in literature, assessing potential correlations of EAT density with segmentation thresholds and other technical and clinical variables. METHOD A systematic search was performed, aiming for papers reporting global EAT density values in Hounsfield Units (HU) in patients undergoing chest CT for any clinical indication. After screening titles, abstract and full text of each retrieved work, studies reporting mean and standard deviation for EAT density were ultimately included. Technical, clinical and EAT data were extracted, and divided into subgroups according to clinical conditions of reported subjects. Pooled density analyses were performed both overall and for subgroups according to clinical conditions. Metaregression analyses were done to appraise the impact of clinical and technical variables on EAT volume. RESULTS Out of 152 initially retrieved works, 13 were ultimately included, totaling for 7683 subjects. EAT density showed an overall pooled value of -85.86 HU (95% confidence interval [95% CI] -91.84, -79.89 HU), being -86.40 HU (95% CI -112.69, -60.12 HU) in healthy subjects and -80.71 HU (95% CI -87.43, -73.99 HU) in patients with coronary artery disease. EAT volume and lower and higher segmentation thresholds were found to be significantly correlated with EAT density (p = 0.044, p < 0.001 and p< 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Patients with coronary artery disease appear to present with higher EAT density values, while the correlations observed at metaregression highlight the need for well-established, shared thresholds for EAT segmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina B Monti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
| | - Davide Capra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Moreno Zanardo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Gianluca Guarnieri
- Postgraduation School in Cardiology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Simone Schiaffino
- Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Secchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Sardanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; Unit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milano, Italy
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Ishii Y, Abe I, Kira S, Harada T, Takano M, Oniki T, Kondo H, Teshima Y, Yufu K, Shuto T, Wada T, Nakagawa M, Shimada T, Asayama Y, Miyamoto S, Takahashi N. Detection of fibrotic remodeling of epicardial adipose tissue in patients with atrial fibrillation: Imaging approach based on histological observation. Heart Rhythm O2 2021; 2:311-323. [PMID: 34430935 PMCID: PMC8369308 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibrotic remodeling of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is crucial for proinflammatory atrial myocardial fibrosis, which leads to atrial fibrillation (AF). Objectives We tested the hypothesis that the ratio of central to marginal adipocyte diameter in EAT represents its fibrotic remodeling. Based on a similar concept, we also tested whether the percent (%) change in EAT fat attenuation determined using computed tomographic (CT) images can detect this remodeling. Methods Left atrial appendages were obtained from 76 consecutive AF patients during cardiovascular surgery. EAT in the central area (central EAT: C-EAT) and that adjacent to the atrial myocardium (Marginal EAT: M-EAT) were evaluated histologically. CT images for all of the 76 patients were also analyzed. Results The adipocyte diameter was smaller, fibrotic remodeling of EAT (EAT fibrosis) was more severe, and infiltration of macrophages and myofibroblasts was more extensive in M-EAT than in C-EAT. EAT fibrosis was positively correlated with adipocyte diameter in C-EAT and negatively correlated in M-EAT, resulting in a positive correlation between EAT fibrosis and the ratio of central to marginal adipocyte diameter (C/M diameter ratio; r = 0.73, P < .01). The C/M diameter ratio was greater in patients with persistent AF than in those with paroxysmal AF. CT images demonstrated that the %change in EAT fat attenuation was positively correlated with EAT fibrosis. Conclusion Our results suggest that the central-to-marginal adipocyte diameter ratio is tightly associated with fibrotic remodeling of EAT. In addition, the %change in EAT fat attenuation determined using CT imaging can detect remodeling noninvasively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Ishii
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination
| | - Ichitaro Abe
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kunio Yufu
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination
| | | | | | | | - Tatsuo Shimada
- Oita Medical Technology School, College of Judo Therapy and Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Oita, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Asayama
- Department of Radiology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
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Sousa JA, Mendonça MI, Serrão M, Borges S, Henriques E, Freitas S, Tentem M, Santos M, Freitas P, Ferreira A, Guerra G, Drumond A, Palma Reis R. Epicardial Adipose Tissue: The Genetics Behind an Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Marker. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-CARDIOLOGY 2021; 15:11795468211029244. [PMID: 34276231 PMCID: PMC8255575 DOI: 10.1177/11795468211029244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Evidence points epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as an emerging cardiovascular risk marker. Whether genetic polymorphisms linked with atherosclerosis are associated with higher EAT is still unknown. We aim to assess the role of genetic burden of atherosclerosis and its association to EAT in a cohort of asymptomatic individuals without coronary disease. A total of 996 participants were prospectively enrolled in a single Portuguese center. EAT volume was measured by Cardiac Computed Tomography and participants were distributed into 2 groups, above and below median EAT. SNPs were genotyped and linked to their respective pathophysiological axes. A multiplicative genetic risk score (mGRS) was constructed, representing the genetic burden of the studied SNPs. To evaluate the association between genetics and EAT, we compared both groups by global mGRS, mGRS by functional axes, and SNPs individually. Individuals above-median EAT were older, had a higher body mass index (BMI) and higher prevalence of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. They presented higher GRS, that remained an independent predictor of higher EAT volumes. The group with more EAT consistently presented higher polymorphic burden across numerous pathways. After adjustment, age, BMI, and mGRS of each functional axis emerged as independently related to higher EAT volumes. Amongst the 33 SNPs, MTHFR677 polymorphism emerged as the only significant and independent predictor of higher EAT volumes. Patients with higher polymorphism burden for atherosclerosis present higher EAT volumes. We present the first study in a Portuguese population, evaluating the genetic profile of EAT through GWAS and GRS, casting further insight into this complicated matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Adriano Sousa
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabel Mendonça
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Marco Serrão
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Sofia Borges
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Eva Henriques
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Sónia Freitas
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Margarida Tentem
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Marina Santos
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Pedro Freitas
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, CHLO, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - António Ferreira
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, CHLO, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - Graça Guerra
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - António Drumond
- Centro de Investigação Dra Maria Isabel Mendonça, Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça, SESARAM, EPERAM, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Roberto Palma Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Emamat H, Tangestani H, Behrad Nasab M, Ghalandari H, Hekmatdoost A. The association between epicardial adipose tissue and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review of existing human studies. EXCLI JOURNAL 2021; 20:1096-1105. [PMID: 34345229 PMCID: PMC8326500 DOI: 10.17179/excli2021-3815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has significantly risen all around the world. Although visceral fat mass has been identified as an independent risk factor for NAFLD, the association of other ectopic fat depots, such as Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), with the disease has not been fully elucidated. The aim of the current study was to systematically review all available human studies conducted on the associations between EAT and NAFLD. All human studies published in English, which examined the association between the thickness or the volume of EAT and the incidence of NAFLD were systematically searched on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines, from inception up to April 2021. Eighteen studies that met inclusion criteria were included in the final review. A total of 86 studies were found through searching the databases. After excluding duplicates, seventy six remained studies were scanned by title and abstract, out of which, 58 were excluded. Finally, eighteen articles (thirteen cross-sectional studies and five case-control studies) published between 2008 and 2021, were included in the review. According to the results of the reviewed articles, EAT was associated with the presence and progression of NAFLD. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with thicker EAT may need a more intensive hepatic follow-up. However, we suggest further investigation to find out the underlying mechanisms describing the observed association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Emamat
- Student Research Committee, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadith Tangestani
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mojgan Behrad Nasab
- Nutritionist, Emam Reza Hospital, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Ghalandari
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
| | - Azita Hekmatdoost
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yuvaraj J, Cheng K, Lin A, Psaltis PJ, Nicholls SJ, Wong DTL. The Emerging Role of CT-Based Imaging in Adipose Tissue and Coronary Inflammation. Cells 2021; 10:1196. [PMID: 34068406 PMCID: PMC8153638 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of evidence arising from recent randomized clinical trials demonstrate the association of vascular inflammatory mediators with coronary artery disease (CAD). Vascular inflammation localized in the coronary arteries leads to an increased risk of CAD-related events, and produces unique biological alterations to local cardiac adipose tissue depots. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) provides a means of mapping inflammatory changes to both epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT) as independent markers of coronary risk. Radiodensity or attenuation of PCAT on coronary CTA, notably, provides indirect quantification of coronary inflammation and is emerging as a promising non-invasive imaging implement. An increasing number of observational studies have shown robust associations between PCAT attenuation and major coronary events, including acute coronary syndrome, and 'vulnerable' atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes that are associated with an increased risk of the said events. This review outlines the biological characteristics of both EAT and PCAT and provides an overview of the current literature on PCAT attenuation as a surrogate marker of coronary inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Yuvaraj
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Victorian Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University and Monash Heart, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.Y.); (K.C.); (S.J.N.)
| | - Kevin Cheng
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Victorian Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University and Monash Heart, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.Y.); (K.C.); (S.J.N.)
| | - Andrew Lin
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA;
| | - Peter J. Psaltis
- Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
- South Australian Health Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Stephen J. Nicholls
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Victorian Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University and Monash Heart, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.Y.); (K.C.); (S.J.N.)
| | - Dennis T. L. Wong
- Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Victorian Heart Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University and Monash Heart, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (J.Y.); (K.C.); (S.J.N.)
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Monti CB, Capra D, Malavazos A, Florini G, Parietti C, Schiaffino S, Sardanelli F, Secchi F. Subcutaneous, Paracardiac, and Epicardial Fat CT Density Before/After Contrast Injection: Any Correlation with CAD? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10040735. [PMID: 33673256 PMCID: PMC7918165 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10040735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue, in particular epicardial adipose tissue, has been identified as a potential biomarker of cardiovascular pathologies such as coronary artery disease (CAD) in the light of its metabolic activity and close anatomic and pathophysiologic relationship to the heart. Our purpose was to evaluate epicardial adipose tissue density at both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), along with CT densities of paracardiac and subcutaneous adipose tissue, as well as the relations of such densities with CAD. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent cardiac CT at our institution for CAD assessment. We segmented regions of interest on epicardial, paracardiac, and subcutaneous adipose tissue on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans. A total of 480 patients were included, 164 of them presenting with CAD. Median epicardial adipose tissue density measured on contrast-enhanced scans (−81.5 HU; interquartile range −84.9 to −78.0) was higher than that measured on unenhanced scans (−73.4 HU; −76.9 to −69.4) (p < 0.001), whereas paracardiac and subcutaneous adipose tissue densities were not (p ≥ 0.055). Patients with or without CAD, did not show significant differences in density of epicardial, paracardiac, and subcutaneous adipose tissue either on unenhanced or contrast-enhanced scans (p ≥ 0.092). CAD patients may experience different phenomena (inflammation, fibrosis, increase in adipose depots) leading to rises or drops in epicardial adipose tissue density, resulting in variations that are difficult to detect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Beatrice Monti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (C.B.M.); (D.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Davide Capra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (C.B.M.); (D.C.); (F.S.)
| | - Alexis Malavazos
- Clinical Nutrition and Cardiovascular Prevention Unit and High Specialty Center for Dietetics, Nutritional Education and Cardiometabolic Prevention, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, Italy;
| | - Giorgia Florini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy; (G.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Carlo Parietti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy; (G.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Simone Schiaffino
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, Italy;
| | - Francesco Sardanelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (C.B.M.); (D.C.); (F.S.)
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, Italy;
| | - Francesco Secchi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; (C.B.M.); (D.C.); (F.S.)
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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