New Insights into Heart Disease: Atherogenic Index of Plasma Predicts Coronary Artery Disease

Strategic Insights -

Current research suggests that the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a robust predictor of cardiovascular risk, yet its mechanism of action in the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unknown. A study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine has shed light on this relationship, revealing that pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation (assessed using the fat attenuation index) mediates the association between AIP and CAD in middle-aged and older adults. The research, conducted at Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital, analyzed data from 450 patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography between 2022 and 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) independently predicts multivessel coronary artery disease (MVCAD) with an odds ratio of 2.35 (95% CI: 1.96-5.10).
  • Pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation, assessed using the fat attenuation index (FAI), mediates the association between AIP and CAD.
  • The study highlights the right coronary artery fat attenuation index (RCA-FAI) as a promising imaging biomarker for CAD risk stratification, irrespective of glucose metabolism status.
  • The research suggests that inflammation in pericoronary adipose tissue plays a crucial role in the development of CAD.
  • The study's findings have implications for the early detection and risk stratification of CAD in middle-aged and older adults.
  • The use of radiomics analysis and imaging biomarkers (such as RCA-FAI) may provide a non-invasive way to assess CAD risk and monitor disease progression.
  • The study's results have significant implications for the development of new therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of CAD.

Statistics:

  • 450 patients were enrolled in the study.
  • Women accounted for 52% of the study population (234 out of 450).
  • The mean age of the patients was 62.4 years (range: 50-80 years).
  • 75.3% of the patients had a history of hypertension, while 61.1% had a history of dyslipidemia.
  • The odds ratio for MVCAD in patients with a high AIP level was 2.35 (95% CI: 1.96-5.10).
  • The median RCA-FAI value for the study population was 0.56.

Sources:

  • Pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation mediates the atherogenic effects of lipids on multivessel coronary artery disease: a CCTA-based radiomics analysis. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2025;12:1629984.
  • NewsRx. New Heart Disease Findings from Yan'an University Affiliated Hospital Described (Pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation mediates the atherogenic effects of lipids on multivessel coronary artery disease: a CCTA-based radiomics analysis). Cardiovascular Week. October 20, 2025; p 87.