Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study

<b>Background</b>: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder affecting connective tissues due to mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene. These genetic changes often result in severe cardiovascular conditions, including asymptomatic thoracic aortic dilation potentially leadin...

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Main Authors: Domenico Tuttolomondo, Francesco Secchi, Nicola Gaibazzi, Nathasha Samali Udugampolage, Alessandro Pini, Massimo De Filippo, Pietro Spagnolo, Rosario Caruso, Jacopo Taurino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/6/673
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author Domenico Tuttolomondo
Francesco Secchi
Nicola Gaibazzi
Nathasha Samali Udugampolage
Alessandro Pini
Massimo De Filippo
Pietro Spagnolo
Rosario Caruso
Jacopo Taurino
author_facet Domenico Tuttolomondo
Francesco Secchi
Nicola Gaibazzi
Nathasha Samali Udugampolage
Alessandro Pini
Massimo De Filippo
Pietro Spagnolo
Rosario Caruso
Jacopo Taurino
author_sort Domenico Tuttolomondo
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background</b>: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder affecting connective tissues due to mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene. These genetic changes often result in severe cardiovascular conditions, including asymptomatic thoracic aortic dilation potentially leading to dissection or rupture. Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation (PVAT) observed on computed tomography may serve as a marker of localized inflammation and indicate early histopathological changes in the vascular walls of MFS patients compared to healthy individuals. <b>Objective</b>: This study aimed to compare PVAT values between patients with MFS and healthy controls in order to explore whether MFS patients show higher PVAT secondary to these histopathological abnormalities. <b>Methods</b>: This case–control study assessed PVAT on ascending aorta through computed tomography angiography (CTA) in 54 genetically confirmed MFS patients and 43 controls with low ischemic risk, excluding those with known aortic aneurysms. <b>Results</b>: PVAT analysis revealed significant differences between the MFS patients and healthy controls (−70.6 HU [−72.6 HU to −68.5 HU] versus −75.1 HU [−77.1 HU to −73.1 HU], <i>p</i> = 0.002), suggesting potential early vascular changes in the MFS group. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings underscore the potential diagnostic role of PVAT in patients with genetically confirmed MFS but normal ascending aorta diameter.
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spelling doaj-art-b8d6f0e45cde422cb3d37242eea0be392025-08-20T02:42:36ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-03-0115667310.3390/diagnostics15060673Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control StudyDomenico Tuttolomondo0Francesco Secchi1Nicola Gaibazzi2Nathasha Samali Udugampolage3Alessandro Pini4Massimo De Filippo5Pietro Spagnolo6Rosario Caruso7Jacopo Taurino8Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Via Antonio Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano, ItalyCardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Via Antonio Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, ItalyCardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, ItalyCardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Radiology, University of Parma, Maggiore Hospital, Via Gramsci 14, 43125 Parma, ItalyUnit of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano, ItalyCardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milano, Italy<b>Background</b>: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder affecting connective tissues due to mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene. These genetic changes often result in severe cardiovascular conditions, including asymptomatic thoracic aortic dilation potentially leading to dissection or rupture. Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation (PVAT) observed on computed tomography may serve as a marker of localized inflammation and indicate early histopathological changes in the vascular walls of MFS patients compared to healthy individuals. <b>Objective</b>: This study aimed to compare PVAT values between patients with MFS and healthy controls in order to explore whether MFS patients show higher PVAT secondary to these histopathological abnormalities. <b>Methods</b>: This case–control study assessed PVAT on ascending aorta through computed tomography angiography (CTA) in 54 genetically confirmed MFS patients and 43 controls with low ischemic risk, excluding those with known aortic aneurysms. <b>Results</b>: PVAT analysis revealed significant differences between the MFS patients and healthy controls (−70.6 HU [−72.6 HU to −68.5 HU] versus −75.1 HU [−77.1 HU to −73.1 HU], <i>p</i> = 0.002), suggesting potential early vascular changes in the MFS group. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings underscore the potential diagnostic role of PVAT in patients with genetically confirmed MFS but normal ascending aorta diameter.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/6/673Marfan syndromeperivascular adipose tissue attenuationcomputed tomography angiographyvascular inflammation
spellingShingle Domenico Tuttolomondo
Francesco Secchi
Nicola Gaibazzi
Nathasha Samali Udugampolage
Alessandro Pini
Massimo De Filippo
Pietro Spagnolo
Rosario Caruso
Jacopo Taurino
Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study
Diagnostics
Marfan syndrome
perivascular adipose tissue attenuation
computed tomography angiography
vascular inflammation
title Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study
title_full Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study
title_short Comparative Analysis of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Angiography in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: A Case–Control Study
title_sort comparative analysis of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation on chest computed tomography angiography in patients with marfan syndrome a case control study
topic Marfan syndrome
perivascular adipose tissue attenuation
computed tomography angiography
vascular inflammation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/6/673
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