title: Periaortic adipose tissue and aortic dimensions in the Framingham Heart Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periaortic fat, because of its contiguity with the aorta, may promote vascular remodeling and aortic dilatation. However, the relations between perioartic fat depots and aortic dimensions have not been previously described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3001 individuals (mean age 50 ± 10 years, 49% women) from the Framingham Offspring and Third Generation cohorts underwent computed tomography for quantification of periaortic fat and aortic dimensions. We estimated the association between quantitative periaortic and visceral adipose tissue volumes (per standard deviation [SD] increment of volume) with aortic dimensions in both the thorax and abdomen. Thoracic periaortic fat was associated with higher thoracic aortic dimensions (β coefficient per SD of fat volume 0.67 mm, 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.76 mm; P<0.001). The association persisted after adjustment for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors including body mass index and visceral adipose tissue volume. Results for the association of periaortic fat and abdominal aortic dimensions were similar. Further adjustment for adipokines (resistin and adiponectin) had no significant impact on these associations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periaortic fat volume was associated with aortic dimensions in both the thorax and abdomen, supporting the notion that local fat depots may contribute to aortic remodeling. Further work to understand the mechanisms underlying this association is warranted.
authors: NIH/NHLBI Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA, USA.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Thanassoulis
authors: Joseph M
authors: JM
authors: Massaro
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Corsini
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Rogers
authors: Christopher L
authors: CL
authors: Schlett
authors: James B
authors: JB
authors: Meigs
authors: Udo
authors: U
authors: Hoffmann
authors: Christopher J
authors: CJ
authors: O'Donnell
authors: Caroline S
authors: CS
authors: Fox
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology*; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000473:pathology*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000473:pathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000473:pathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D052243:Resistin
keywords: adipose tissue; aneurysm; aorta; peripheral vascular disease