[Prediction of high loading levels of premature ventricular complexes by epicardial adipose tissue based on no-contrast chest CT scanning].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) based on no-contrast chest CT scanning and evaluate the predictive value of EAT for high PVC loading levels. Methods: A case-control study was conducted to collect patients with PVC from January 2021 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The study subjects were divided into a PVC high-load group (≥20%) and a PVC low-load group (<20%) based on the level of PVC loading in the 24-hour Holter electrocardiography monitoring. The parameter characteristics of EAT were obtained from no-contrast chest CT images. Multivariate logistic regression model analysis was used to assess the factors associated with high PVC loading levels, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model. Results: A total of 166 subjects were included in the study, including 50 in the PVC high-load group and 116 in the PVC low-load group. Compared with the PVC low-load group, EATV was significantly increased in the high-load group (Z=4.83, P<0.001), and EATA was significantly lower in the high-load group than in the low-load group (t=-3.95, P<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference for the comparison of EATD (Z=-1.56, P=0.120). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that high EATV and low EATA were factors of high PVC loading levels [EATV: OR=1.01 (95%CI: 1.00-1.02), EATA: OR=1.16 (95%CI: 1.02-1.32)]. The area under the ROC curve for predicting high PVC loading levels by EATV and EATA was 0.79 (95%CI: 0.71-0.86). Conclusion: EATV and EATA are factors of high PVC loading levels and have predictive value for high PVC loading levels.