title: Relation Between Epicardial Adipose and Aortic Valve and Mitral Annular Calcium Determined by Computed Tomography in Subjects Aged ≥65 Years.
abstract: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been linked to coronary artery calcium deposits and atherosclerotic disease. Mitral annular (MAC) and aortic valve calcium (AVC) have also been associated with atherosclerosis. This study examined the possible relation between EAT thickness and valvular calcium deposits. We included 294 patients aged ≥65 years who had noncontrast computed tomography scans of the chest. Mean age was 76 ± 7 years; 47% were men. Using reconstructed images, EAT thickness was measured at various locations. MAC and AVC were quantified by Agatston technique. The sum of AVC and MAC was reported as the grand total score (GTS). Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the value of GTS; GTS = 0, no cardiac calcification and GTS ≥1, cardiac calcification group. Epicardial fat (left and right atrioventricular grooves and superior interventricular groove) was significantly greater in the cardiac calcification group compared with the no cardiac calcification (all values, p <0.05). After adjusting for clinical variables including BMI, EAT at the superior interventricular groove remained significantly associated with total calcium. Left atrioventricular groove EAT demonstrated a trend toward an association with total calcium, but this did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, epicardial fat is associated with calcium deposits of the mitral annulus and aortic valve.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Talal S
authors: TS
authors: Alnabelsi
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Yaser
authors: Y
authors: Alhamshari
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Ramzi H
authors: RH
authors: Mulki
authors: Department of Cardiology, The Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Jose N
authors: JN
authors: Codolosa
authors: Department of Cardiology, The Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Nikoloz
authors: N
authors: Koshkelashvili
authors: Department of Radiology, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Goykhman
authors: Department of Cardiology, The Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors: Gregg S
authors: GS
authors: Pressman
authors: Department of Cardiology, The Institute for Heart and Vascular Health, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: RomeroAb@einstein.edu.
authors: Abel
authors: A
authors: Romero-Corral
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed