engleski

Is visceral adiposity predictor of aortic diseases?

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the amount and distribution of abdominal adipose tissue with development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and atherosclerotic changes of the aorta. Methods and Materials: MSCT angiography of the aorta was performed in 94 patients with AAA and in 94 control subjects. Total, visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat areas were measured on a single axial CT scan at the level of umbilicus and compared between the groups by the t-test for independent samples. In the control group atherosclerotic plaques of aortic segments were semiquantitatively graded (grade 1 – no wall thickening, grade 2 – wall thickening without lumen irregularity, grade 3 – wall thickening with lumen irregularity and minimal calcifications, grade 4 – high plaque burden and abundant calcifications), and their relationship with abdominal fat areas was evaluated. Results: We found no relationship between AAA development and total and visceral fat areas, while subcutaneous abdominal fat area was significantly smaller in the AAA group than in the control group (189±84 vs. 225±90cm2 ; t=-2.88 ; p=0.004 ; 95% CI -61.7 to -11.5). In the control group positive relationship between visceral fat area and atherosclerotic lesions was seen (rs=0.29, p=0.005 for the ascending aorta, rs=0.24, p=0.02 for the aortic arch, rs=0.32, p=0.002 for the descending thoracic and abdominal aorta). There was neither protective nor harmful effect of subcutaneous fat tissue on development of aortic atherosclerosis. Conclusion: Visceral adiposity is predictor of aortic atherosclerosis, but not of AAA development, indicating that these aortic diseases are caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms.

visceral fat; atherosclerotic plaque; abdominal aortic aneurysm

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