Lower estimates of myocardial perfusion are associated with greater aortic perivascular adipose tissue density in humans independent of aortic stiffness

Aortic perivascular adipose tissue (aPVAT) density is associated with age-related aortic stiffness in humans and therefore, may contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction. A lower subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), an estimate of myocardial perfusion, indicates greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and is associated with aortic stiffness in clinical populations. However, the influence of aortic stiffness on the relation between aPVAT density and SEVR/cardiovascular (CV) hemodynamics in apparently healthy adults is unknown. We hypothesize that greater aPVAT density will be associated with lower SEVR and higher CV hemodynamics independent of aortic stiffness. Fourteen (6 males/8 females; mean age, 55.4 ± 5.6 yr; body mass index, 25.5 ± 0.6 kg/m²) adults completed resting measures of myocardial perfusion (SEVR), CV hemodynamics (pulse wave analysis), aortic stiffness [carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)], and a computed tomography scan to acquire aPVAT and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) density. Greater aPVAT density (i.e., higher density) was associated with lower SEVR (<i>r</i> = -0.78, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and a higher systolic pressure time integral (<i>r</i> = 0.49, <i>P</i> = 0.03), forward pulse height (<i>r</i> = 0.49, <i>P</i> = 0.03), reflected pulse height (<i>r</i> = 0.55, <i>P</i> = 0.02), ejection duration (<i>r</i> = 0.56, <i>P</i> = 0.02), and augmentation pressure (<i>r</i> = 0.69, <i>P</i> = 0.003), but not with the diastolic pressure time integral (<i>r</i> = -0.22, <i>P</i> = 0.22). VAT density was not associated with SEVR or any CV hemodynamic endpoints (all, <i>P</i> > 0.05). Furthermore, the relation between aPVAT density and SEVR remained after adjusting for aortic stiffness (<i>r</i> = -0.66, <i>P</i> = 0.01) but not age (<i>r</i> = -0.24, <i>P</i> > 0.05). These data provide initial evidence for aPVAT as a novel yet understudied local fat depot contributing to lower myocardial perfusion in apparently healthy adults with aging.<b>NEW & NOTEWORTHY</b> Aortic perivascular adipose tissue (aPVAT) density is associated with aging and aortic stiffness in humans and, therefore, may contribute to lower myocardial perfusion. We demonstrate that greater aPVAT, but not visceral adipose tissue density is associated with lower myocardial perfusion and augmentation pressure independent of aortic stiffness, but not independent of age. These data provide novel evidence for aPVAT as a potential therapeutic target to improve myocardial perfusion and cardiovascular function in humans with aging.