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?

Abstract 

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.

Keywords: Epicardial adipose tissue, Calcium score, Coronary artery disease, Coronary calcification, Coronary CT angiography