Radiomic features of epicardial adipose tissue in coronary atherosclerosis

Aim. To investigate the association of the radiomic characteristics of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) on contrast-free computed tomography (CT) of the heart with the severity of obstructive coronary lesion and myocardial ischemia.

Methods. The study included 68 patients with coronary heart disease (mean age of 63.5±9.4, 45 men and 23 women), and 15 patients (mean age 30±4.8; 14 men and 1 woman) without cardiovascular disease as a control group. All the patients underwent multispiral computed coronary angiography, coronary calcium scores (CCS) determination and stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Radiomic characteristics of EAT (texture analysis by gradations of gray color) were determined on non-contrast computer tomogram images of the heart using 3D-Sliser software and the SliserRadiomics module (version 4.10.2). The obtained indicators were compared between a control and under the study groups as well as between subgroups of patients divided according to the degree of obstruction of the coronary arteries, the size of the perfusion defect, and the value of the CCS.

Results. The comparative analysis of radiomic indicators of EAT between patients with coronary artery disease and the control group showed the presence of statistically significant differences between them. At the same time, the correlation analysis in the study group did not reveal any correlations between the radiomic parameters and the size of the perfusion defect, CCS or degree of stenosis of the lumen of the coronary arteries.

Conclusion. The textural characteristics of EAT in patients with coronary heart disease differ from those in individuals without cardiovascular pathology. At the same time, these indicators are not associated with the severity of obstructive lesions of the coronary arteries, the value of the CCS, and the size of the perfusion defect according to scintigraphy.

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