Patient-Level Perivascular Adipose Tissue Density Aggregation and Plaque Progression: Plaque-Free vs Plaque-Adjacent Segments
Authors' conclusion
Changes in pRCA, whole-coronary, and plaque-free PVAT were each independently associated with total PV progression. For noncalcified PV progression, plaque-free PVAT change was the only significant measure. (Progression of AtheRosclerotic PlAque DetermIned by Computed TomoGraphic Angiography Imaging [PARADIGM]; NCT02803411).
Study context
- Population
- Patients with baseline coronary plaque who underwent serial coronary CTA at identical tube voltagesmean age: 61.1 ± 9.3 years, 61.7% male, mean interval: 3.2 ± 1.2 years
- Participants
- 412 patients
- Exposure
- Four patient-level perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) measures were compared: proximal right coronary artery (pRCA), whole-coronary, plaque-free, and plaque PVAT
- Outcome
- Total plaque volume (PV) progression (annualized), by annualized increase in PVAT
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- pRCA PVAT · annualized increase
- β 0.804; P = 0.033
- Whole-coronary PVAT · annualized increase
- β 1.142; P = 0.022
- Plaque-free PVAT · annualized increase
- β 1.419; P = 0.007
- Plaque PVAT · did not reach significance
- β 0.755; P = 0.083
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | β | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Noncalcified PV progressionThe only significant measure | 1.086 | P = 0.026 |
Plaque progression by baseline PVAT measures
- None of the 4 baseline PVAT measures were significantly associated with plaque progression
- all P > 0.50
Pairwise comparisons among the 4 measures
- No significant differences among the 4 measures
Original publication
Patient-Level Perivascular Adipose Tissue Density Aggregation and Plaque Progression: Plaque-Free vs Plaque-Adjacent Segments. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 16 October 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it