Figure 1.

Influence of PCAT on the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). (A) Coronary artery segments in contact with PCAT often exhibit atherosclerotic plaques, whereas coronary artery segments under myocardial bridges do usually not develop CAD. (B) Paracrine mechanisms through which PCAT influences the development of CAD. PCAT‐derived adipokines, cytokines, reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cells diffuse through the adventitia and media or enter through the vasa vasorum to reach the coronary endothelium and contribute to atherosclerotic plaque development and progression.