Epidemiology of fat replacement of the right ventricular myocardium determined by multislice computed tomography using a logistic regression model

Purpose We frequently observe fat replacement (FR) of the anterior wall of the right ventricular myocardium (RVM), but its epidemiological significance is not clear. Methods and materials 49 consecutive subjects (28 males, 36–83 years old, median 67) underwent enhanced ECG-gated multislice CT (Light speed ultra 16, General Electrics, WI) and we retrospectively analyzed the presence of FR of RVM. A logistic model for predicting FR of RVM was constructed using age, sex, hypertension [HT], diabetes mellitus [DM], hyperlipidemia [HL] smoking, obesity (body mass index > 25.0) and calcified and non-calcified plaques of coronary arteries (CA). Results FR of RVM was detected in 21 subjects (12 males, 51–78 years old, median 67), 76% of whom had HT, 38% DM, 43% HL, 48% smoking history, 52% were obese, and 76% had calcified and 24% had non-calcified plaques of CA. Only obesity was significantly higher in FR (p < 0.05). A logistic regression model showed, although there was a close association between obesity and an increased incidence of FR, it did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0515, relative risk 5.11). Conclusions Obesity is significantly more common in cases of FR, and despite a negative multivariable analysis, may influence FR in the RVM. FR in obesity may occur independently of clinically-significant arrhythmia, which is different from ARVC. Thus, even with FR, obesity must be considered as a diagnosis before ARVC.