CHARACTERISTICS OF AORTIC VALVE CALCIFICATION AND EPICARDIAL DIPOSE TISSUE ON CARDIAC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN PEOPLE AT HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

Objective: To describe the characteristics of aortic valve calcification (AVC) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) on coronary computed tomography (CT) in people at high cardiovascular risk.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 patients at Bach Mai Hospital from August 2023 to June 2024. Patients were assessed using dual-source CT imaging. AVC was quantified semi-automatically using the Agatston scoring method, like coronary artery calcification scoring, while epicardial fat was measured semi-automatically using Singo software.Results: Among the 102 patients, 56 (54.9%) had aortic valve calcification and 46 (45.1%) did not. Patients with AVC were significantly older and had higher body mass index (BMI), and greater epicardial fat thickness (EFT) compared to those without AVC. The mean epicardial fat volume (EFV) was 51.8±17.5 cm³, and the epicardial fat volume index (EFVi) was 31.5 ± 10.9 cm³/m². The mean epicardial fat attenuation (mEA) was -85.1±6.1 HU, and it was significantly associated with risk factors such as age, BMI, and diabetes (p < 0.05).Conclusion: CCTA provides valuable insights into the extent of aortic valve calcification and epicardial fat in high-risk cardiovascular patients. Monitoring these indicators can help improve cardiovascular risk management and prediction.