Pericardial fat volume and coronary calcifications for prediction of coronary artery disease extent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common, complication and principal cause of death in type 2 diabetes mellitus, (T2DM). Testing atherosclerotic burden using markers such as coronary, artery calcium score (CACS), and newer emerging techniques such as, pericardial fat volume (PFV) is needed. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 1032 patients. Using, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), we assessed CACS and PFV for, 402 patients with T2DM included in the study. Diabetic patients with, measured PFV (204 patients) were divided into 2 groups; patients with PFV >= 100 cm(3) and patients with PFV < 100 cm(3). The severity of coronary, artery disease (CAD) was quantified using the Gensini Score. Correlation, between CACS and PFV and severity of CAD was studied. Results: CACS, PFV and Gensini score were higher in diabetic patients. Linear correlation of CACS with Gensini score was significant whereas, linear correlation of PFV with Gensini score was not significant. Logistic regression analysis was applied; only the male gender and CACS, were the significant predictors for CAD. Conclusion: Quantification of CACS by MDCT is an effective method to, predict atherosclerotic CAD in type 2 DM. Quantification of PFV remains, uncertain for prediction of presence or severity of CAD.