Can the extent of epicardial adipose tissue thickness or the presence of descending thoracic aortic calcification predict significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with a zero coronary calcium score on multi-detector CT?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the extent of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness or the presence of descending thoracic aortic calcification on multi-detector CT (MDCT) can predict the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with negative coronary artery calcium (CAC).


METHODS
We enrolled 90 patients with negative CAC in whom both coronary CT angiography (CTA) and conventional angiography had been performed. Group 1 consisted of patients (n=27) with significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50%), whereas group 2 (n=63) had non-obstructive coronary artery stenosis (<50%) on conventional angiography. We analyzed whether or not there is a significant difference in EAT thickness or the incidence of calcification of descending thoracic aorta among the two groups.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between EAT thickness on MDCT among the two groups. There was also no significant difference in the incidence of descending thoracic aortic calcification between group 1 (7/27, 25.9%) and group 2 (14/63, 22.2%) (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Neither the presence of abundant EAT nor calcification of descending thoracic aorta is a marker of significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with negative CAC.
Lee
Hwa Yeon
HY
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chung-Ang University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Song
In Sup
IS
Yoo
Seung Min
SM
Rho
Ji Young
JY
Moon
Jae Youn
JY
White
Charles S
CS
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D002118:Calcium