This study analyzed the potential associations between adipose tissue depots immediately surrounding the thoracic aorta, metabolic risk factors, and vascular calcifications. Participants for this study, free of cardiovascular disease, were derived from the Framingham Offspring Study cohort who underwent computed tomography (n=1,067, mean age=59 years, 56.1% women). Results showed that thoracic peri-aortic fat, a newly described body fat depot, was correlated with several cardiovascular disease risk factors, independently of other clinical measures of obesity. It was also correlated with intra-abdominal (visceral) adipose tissue as well as with abdominal aortic and coronary calcification. These findings provide evidence that peri-aortic fat depots are associated with a deteriorated cardiovascular disease risk profiles.
Documentation centre