Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between abdominal aortic atherosclerosis and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), abdominal visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and which of these may be predictive of abdominal aortic atherosclerosis.

Materials and Methods: Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) of 36 patients with no radiological findings other than atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta was retrospectively analyzed. As a control group, 78 abdominal CT results without any radiological finding were chosen. It was classified as less than 50% and more than 50%, according to the percentage of atherosclerotic plaque from the axial image. CT scans of the patients with atherosclerosis were calculated in cm², abdominal circumference, SAT and VAT in three-dimensional workstation. On axial thoracoabdominal CT, EAT thickness was measured in four sections on the horizontal image of the heart. EAT thickness in front of right ventricular free wall was measured vertically by echocardiography.

Results: In patients with more than 50% atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta, standardization with age revealed a statistically significant relationship with VAT and EAT (P= 0.03, P= 0.013, respectively). There was a significant relationship between atherosclerosis and EAT measured from right ventricular apex by both CT and echocardiography (P= 0.0018).

Conclusion: Determining the relationship between specific adipose tissues and atherosclerosis is important for identifying high-risk individuals and promoting various preventions.