CT angiography evaluation of epicardial fat volume and its association with coronary artery stenosis: A single-center cross-sectional study

Background: The relationship between epicardial fat and coronary stenosis has been a topic of recent discussion. This study aimed to determine the correlation between epicardial fat volume and coronary artery stenosis in patients undergoing CT angiography. Methods: In this descriptive/cross-sectional study, 240 patients with low to moderate risk of CAD, referred to the CT angiography unit of Farshchian Hospital in Hamadan in 2023, were selected via the Census method. Coronary artery stenosis was assessed using a 128-slice multi-detector CT scan, while epicardial fat volume was measured using CT scan analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software Version 21, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.69 years, with 52.5% being males. The mean epicardial fat volume was 76.64 ml, and 58.3% of the patients had coronary artery stenosis. The mean epicardial fat volume in patients with coronary stenosis was 82.82±31.41 ml, compared to 65.66±25.79 ml in those without stenosis (p<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between epicardial fat volume and patients' age, calcium score, vessel score, and LDL levels. Additionally, the mean epicardial fat volume in patients with both obstructive and non-obstructive stenosis in the LAD and LCX was significantly higher than in vessels without stenosis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Epicardial fat volume is significantly associated with coronary artery stenosis and calcium score. Therefore, it can be utilized to determine and predict the presence and severity of coronary artery stenosis.