Epicardial adipose tissue is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is increased in HIV-infected patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between EAT and coronary artery calcium (CAC) a marker of atherosclerosis; furthermore, we investigated the association of EAT with HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and lipodystrophy.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 876 consecutive HIV-infected ART experienced patients. Patients underwent CAC imaging with multidetector computed tomography (CT) for atherosclerosis screening and risk of cardiovascular events (CAC score >100); EAT was measured in the same CT images. Factors independently associated with EAT were explored in a multivariable backward stepwise linear regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association of EAT and CAC score greater than 100.

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was 47.2 ± 8 years, 68% were men. EAT was associated with central fat accumulation and mixed lipodystrophy phenotypes. Factors independently associated with EAT were: age [β = 0.6, confidence interval (CI) 0.2-1.0], male sex (β = 6.6, CI 0.5-12.7), visceral adipose tissue (β = 0.12, CI 0.08-0.17), waist circumference (β = 0.7, CI 0.04-1.3), current CD4⁺ (β = 0.6, CI 0.1-1.2, per 50 cells), total cholesterol (β = 0.1, CI 0.02-0.15), and cumulative exposure to ART (months) (β = 0.05, CI 0.00-0.11). EAT (per 10 cm³) was associated with CAC greater than 100 (odds ratio = 1.10, CI 1.02-1.19) after adjustment for age, male sex, and diabetes.

CONCLUSION

We showed an association between EAT and central fat accumulation and mixed form lipodystrophy phenotypes as well as traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. EAT may be a useful marker of cardiovascular risk as shown by its association with CAC greater than 100.