Association of Epicardial Fat Volume Index with Coronary Artery Disease Phenotypes

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University in Changzhou, People's Republic of China, have published a new report on the association between epicardial fat volume index (EFVi) and coronary artery disease (CAD) phenotypes. The study found that EFVi was more effective than epicardial fat volume (EFV) in differentiating CAD phenotypes over traditional cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in the diabetes subgroup. The researchers discovered that EFVi was correlated with the severity of CAD phenotype levels based on anatomical and functional imaging, with the strongest correlation observed in the diabetes subgroup.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study enrolled 495 suspected CAD patients who underwent both single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT/CT MPI) and coronary angiography (CAG/CTA).
  • Epicardial fat volume (EFV) and epicardial fat volume indexed to body surface (EFVi) were measured on non-contrast CT and found to have an increasing trend across 4 groups of CAD phenotypes.
  • EFVi was more effective than EFV in differentiating CAD phenotypes over traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the diabetes subgroup.
  • Net reclassification improvement (NRI) showed that EFVi was more effective than EFV in the diabetes subgroup to differentiate CAD phenotypes.
  • EFVi was correlated with the severity of CAD phenotype levels based on anatomical and functional imaging, with the strongest correlation observed in the diabetes subgroup.

Statistics:

  • 495 suspected CAD patients were enrolled in the study.
  • EFVi had a median (interquartile range) of 80.54 (68.10-102.37) cm/m in the non-obstructive CAD without ischemia group.
  • EFVi had a median (interquartile range) of 91.67 (76.48-111.66) cm/m in the obstructive CAD with ischemia group.
  • Net reclassification improvement (NRI) showed that EFVi was more effective than EFV in the diabetes subgroup to differentiate CAD phenotypes, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.53 (95%CI: 1.25-5.12).
  • EFVi was correlated with the severity of CAD phenotype levels based on anatomical and functional imaging, with the strongest correlation observed in the diabetes subgroup, OR = 2.53 (95%CI: 1.25-5.12).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Report Findings in Heart Disease (Association of epicardial fat volume index with coronary artery disease phenotypes based on anatomical and functional imaging: a linkage with the ...). Cardiovascular Week. October 20, 2025; p 142.
  • Association of epicardial fat volume index with coronary artery disease phenotypes based on anatomical and functional imaging: a linkage with the severity of coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular Diabetology, 2025;24(1):387.