The Role of Plain CT in Assessing and Estimating Normal Values of Pericardial Fat Pad Thickness and Their Correlation With Patient’s Age, Gender, Body Weight, and Body Mass Index

TL;DR

This study uses CT scans to measure pericardial fat in South Indians and finds it increases with age, weight, and is thicker in males, offering insights into cardiovascular risk.

Contribution

Provides population-specific reference values for pericardial fat thickness in South Indians and its correlation with age, gender, weight, and BMI.

Findings

Pericardial fat thickness increased with age, from 4.2 mm in 18-35 years to 6.4 mm in 51-70 years.

Males had a higher average pericardial fat thickness (5.6 mm) compared to females (5.0 mm).

Body weight showed a positive correlation with pericardial fat thickness, increasing from 4.5 mm to 6.7 mm across weight ranges.

Abstract

Introduction

The pericardial fat pad, located anteriorly to the heart between the pericardium and myocardium, has garnered significant interest in cardiovascular research due to its potential role in the pathophysiology of various cardiac conditions. Despite its proximity to the myocardium, it is distinct from the epicardial fat depot found between the myocardium and the visceral layer of the pericardium. Studies have shown that excess pericardial fat is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is a reliable, non-invasive method for assessing pericardial fat pad thickness, offering less radiation exposure compared to other imaging modalities. Establishing standardized measurements for pericardial fat pad thickness is essential, particularly for the South Indian population, which may exhibit unique genetic, dietary, and lifestyle influences on these measurements.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 participants from South India, stratified into three age groups: 18-35, 36-50, and 51-70 years, with body weights ranging from 45 kg to 120 kg. Participants were recruited from outpatient departments and community outreach programs, ensuring equal representation from each age group. Non-contrast CT imaging was performed using a Siemens Somatom goTop 128 Slice CT scanner to measure pericardial fat pad thickness and correlate it with age, gender, body weight, and body mass index. Exclusion criteria included diagnosed cardiac or pericardial diseases, prior chest surgery or trauma, pregnancy, and contraindications to CT scans. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was collected from all participants. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson's correlation.

Results

The study included 300 participants, with an equal gender distribution of 150 males and 150 females. Pericardial fat pad thickness increased with age, averaging 4.2 mm in the 18-35 age group, 5.1 mm in the 36-50 age group, and 6.4 mm in the 51-70 age group. Males exhibited a higher average thickness (5.6 mm) compared to females (5.0 mm). Body weight also showed a positive correlation with pericardial fat pad thickness, with mean values increasing from 4.5 mm in the 45-60 kg range to 6.7 mm in the 106-120 kg range. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in pericardial fat pad thickness across age groups, genders, and weight categories, emphasizing the importance of these factors in assessing cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion

This study provides a benchmark for pericardial fat pad thickness in the Kancheepuram Population of South India, highlighting its correlation with age, gender, body weight, and body mass index. The findings underscore the significance of non-invasive CT imaging in evaluating cardiovascular risk factors. Further research should focus on longitudinal studies and advanced imaging techniques to enhance the diagnostic accuracy and clinical relevance of pericardial fat pad measurements. The established reference values can aid clinicians in identifying individuals at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, facilitating early intervention and management.

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