Prognostic Value of RCA Pericoronary Adipose Tissue CT-Attenuation Beyond High-Risk Plaques, Plaque Volume, and Ischemia

Pepijn A. van Diemen, Michiel J. Bom, Roel S. Driessen, Stefan P. Schumacher, Henk Everaars, Ruben W. de Winter, Peter M. van de Ven, Moti Freiman, Liran Goshen, Dennis Heijtel, Eran Langzam, James K. Min, Jonathon A. Leipsic, Pieter G. Raijmakers, Albert C. van Rossum, Ibrahim Danad, Paul Knaapen

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Abstract

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the prognostic value of pericoronary adipose tissue computed tomography attenuation (PCATa) beyond quantitative coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)–derived plaque volume and positron emission tomography (PET) determined ischemia. Background: Inflammation plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. PCATa has been shown to assess coronary-specific inflammation and is of prognostic value in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 539 patients who underwent CCTA and [ 15O]H 2O PET perfusion imaging because of suspected CAD were included. Imaging assessment included coronary artery calcium score (CACS), presence of obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis) and high-risk plaques (HRPs), total plaque volume (TPV), calcified/noncalcified plaque volume (CPV/NCPV), PCATa, and myocardial ischemia. The endpoint was a composite of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Prognostic thresholds were determined for quantitative CCTA variables. Results: During a median follow-up of 5.0 (interquartile range: 4.7 to 5.0) years, 33 events occurred. CACS >59 Agatston units, obstructive CAD, HRPs, TPV >220 mm 3, CPV >110 mm 3, NCPV >85 mm 3, and myocardial ischemia were associated with shorter time to the endpoint with unadjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of 4.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.80 to 9.64), 4.88 (95% CI: 1.88 to 12.65), 3.41 (95% CI: 1.72 to 6.75), 7.91 (95% CI: 3.05 to 20.49), 5.82 (95% CI: 2.40 to 14.10), 8.07 (95% CI: 3.33 to 19.55), and 4.25 (95% CI: 1.84 to 9.78), respectively (p < 0.05 for all). Right coronary artery (RCA) PCATa above scanner specific thresholds was associated with worse prognosis (unadjusted HR: 2.84; 95% CI: 1.44 to 5.63; p = 0.003), whereas left anterior descending artery and circumflex artery PCATa were not related to outcome. RCA PCATa above scanner specific thresholds retained is prognostic value adjusted for imaging variables and clinical characteristics associated with the endpoint (adjusted HR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.23 to 4.93; p = 0.011). Conclusions: Parameters associated with atherosclerotic burden and ischemia were more strongly associated with outcome than RCA PCATa. Nonetheless, RCA PCATa was of prognostic value beyond clinical characteristics, CACS, obstructive CAD, HRPs, TPV, CPV, NCPV, and ischemia.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1598-1610
Number of pages13
JournalJACC. Cardiovascular imaging
Volume14
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • coronary artery disease
  • coronary computed tomography angiography
  • coronary inflammation
  • myocardial ischemia
  • pericoronary adipose tissue computed tomography attenuation

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