Key result
Emerging evidence suggests that epicardial and pericardial fat are independently associated with the presence, severity, and ablation outcomes of atrial fibrillation.
Why the study?
What is the role of epicardial and pericardial fat in the pathogenesis and outcomes of atrial fibrillation?
What is the role of epicardial and pericardial fat in the pathogenesis and outcomes of atrial fibrillation?
Epicardial and pericardial fat serve as independent markers for AF risk and severity, highlighting a mechanistic link between obesity and AF pathogenesis.
May support epicardial fat in AF risk models; leaves open prospective validation before clinical use.
Emerging evidence suggests that epicardial and pericardial fat are related to the presence, severity and outcome of AF. These associations, independent of generalized obesity, suggest that they may become increasingly useful as markers for risk stratification or monitoring in the clinical setting. Mechanistically, studies have suggested the effects of epicardial and pericardial fat may be mediated by local adipokines, inflammation, fatty infiltration, modulation of AF drivers and left atrial dilatation. Given the dual epidemics of AF and obesity, in the present paper we review the role that the ectopic adipose tissue surrounding the heart has in the pathogenesis of AF. Further inquiries in this active area of investigation may ultimately lead to new insights in how to best combat these interrelated epidemics and reduce the societal burden of AF.
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Wong et al. (2013) conducted a review in Atrial Fibrillation. Epicardial and pericardial fat was evaluated. Emerging evidence suggests that epicardial and pericardial fat are independently associated with the presence, severity, and ablation outcomes of atrial fibrillation.
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