Role of visceral fat areas defined by thoracic CT in acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been established as an important parameter of body composition. It can be assessed by imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT). The purpose of the present study was to analyse the prognostic role of VAT derived from thoracic CT in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

METHODS

The clinical database of our center was retrospectively screened for patients with acute PE between 2014 and 2017. Overall, 184 patients were included into the analysis. VAT was assessed on axial slices of the thoracic CT at the level of the first lumbar vertebra. Clinical scores, serological parameters, need for intubation, ICU admission and 30 days mortality were assessed.

RESULTS

Using the previously reported threshold of 100 cm² for visceral obesity definition 136 (73.9%), patients were considered as visceral obese. There was a moderate correlation between VAT and BMI ( = 0.56, < 0.0001). There was also a moderate correlation between VAT and body height ( = 0.41, =< 0.0001). Of all investigated clinical scores relating to acute PE, only the GENEVA score correlated weakly with VAT ( = 0.15, = 0.04). There were significant correlations between VAT and creatinine ( = 0.38, < 0.0001) and Glomerular filtration rate ( = -0.21, = 0.005). No associations were identified for VAT and mortality or visceral obesity and mortality.

CONCLUSION

VAT was not associated with mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Visceral obesity is frequent in patients with acute pulmonary embolism but it is not associated with mortality.