Perivascular adipose tissue in stratification of cardiovascular risk in autoimmune inflammation: the current state of the problem

This review focuses on early identification of cardiovascular risk predictors in patients with autoimmune inflammation. Perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) is a promising diagnostic biomarker of chronic inflammation in coronary arteries. FAI allows for detection of early signs of atherosclerosis before clinical symptoms and prediction of future cardiovascular events, such as ACS, MI, or stroke. FAI as a new prognostic marker of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis is an important therapeutic target. While numerous studies have identified FAI as an additional cardiovascular risk factor, no study of FAI in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has yet been conducted. This review presents data on noninvasive CT imaging of coronary inflammation as a cardiovascular inflammatory risk. The review also analyzes clinical data on FAI as a marker of chronic inflammation and identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques. FAI dynamics under anti-inflammatory therapy is analyzed.