Cardiovascular Biomarkers

Epicardial Fat Volume

Increasing evidence suggests a prominent role for epicardial fat in the development of cardiovascular disease. The total volume of epicardial fat can now be quantified on non-enhanced CT examinations using a fully automated method.

More information:

  • Shahzad R, Bos D, et al. Automatic quantification of epicardial fat volume on non-enhanced cardiac CT-scans using a multi-atlas segmentation approach. Med. Phys. 2013.
  • Mahabadi A, Berg M, et al. Association of epicardial fat with cardiovascular risk factors and incident myocardial infarction in the general population: the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. JACC. 2013
  • Bos D, Shahzad R, et al. Epicardial fat volume is related to atherosclerotic calcification in multiple vessel beds. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2015.

Intracranial Carotid Artery Calcification Volume

Intracranial atherosclerosis is one of the most important risk factors for stroke worldwide. The amount of intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC) may be quantified on non-enhanced CT examinations using a semi-automated method.

More information:

  • Bos D, van der Rijk M, et al. Intracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis: prevalence and risk factors in the general population. Stroke. 2012.
  • De Weert T, Cakir H, et al. Intracranial internal carotid artery calcifications: association with vascular risk factors and ischemic cerebrovascular disease. AJNR. 2009.
  • Bos D, Portegies M, et al. Intracranial carotid artery atherosclerosis and the risk of stroke in whites: the Rotterdam Study. JAMA Neurol. 2013