Epicardial fat is the visceral fat depot of heart. It is a metabolically active organ with anatomical and functional contiguity to the myocardium. A dichotomous role has been attributed to the epicardial fat. Under physiological conditions, epicardial fat displays biochemical and thermogenic cardio-protective properties. Under pathological circumstances epicardial fat can locally affect the heart and coronary arteries through vasocrine or paracrine secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Epicardial fat can be measured with imaging techniques. Epicardial fat thickness reflects intra-abdominal and myocardial fat and correlates with metabolic syndrome and coronary artery disease. Epicardial fat measurement may play a role in the stratification of the cardio-metabolic risk and serve as therapeutic target. Weight loss and anti-inflammatory drugs targeting the fat may modulate epicardial fat. Because epicardial and myocardial tissues share the same coronary arterial supply it is reasonable to hypothesize that improved local vascularisation may resume epicardial fat to its physiological role.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2011.09.006 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The impact of new-onset atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.
J Cardiol
January 2025
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Kent and Medway Medical School, Canterbury, Kent, UK; School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong, China.
Approximately 10 % of patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction develop new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF). Coronary artery disease implicating atrial branches has been associated with AF. The following variables have been associated with new-onset AF in the setting of acute coronary syndrome: older age, history of hypertension, history of angina, history of stroke, chronic renal failure, body mass index, no statin use, worse nutritional status, worse Killip class, admission heart rate ≥ 85 bpm, complete atrioventricular block, Glasgow prognostic score, Syntax score, CHEST score > 3, PRECISE-DAPT score ≥ 25, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40 %, increased left atrial diameter, E/E' ratio > 12, epicardial fat tissue thickness, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow <3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReply: How Semaglutide Effects on Epicardial Fat Inflammation Can Be Good for the Heart.
J Am Coll Cardiol
January 2025
Lundquist Institute, Torrance, California, USA. Electronic address:
How Semaglutide Effects on Epicardial Fat Inflammation Can Be Good for the Heart.
J Am Coll Cardiol
January 2025
IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
Mineral composition and ratios in aortic valves, serum, and epicardial fat among patients with aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a leading cause of surgical intervention in adults with acquired heart disease, driven by an aging population and advancements in diagnostic and treatment approaches. This study aimed to investigate levels of macroelements (Ca, K, Na, Mg, and P) in aortic valve tissues, serum, and epicardial fat in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement due to degenerative disease. Elemental composition was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChange in pericardial fat volume in postmenopausal women with papillary thyroid cancer undergoing thyrotropin suppressive therapy.
BMC Endocr Disord
January 2025
Department of Nuclear Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.
Background: Despite TSH suppressive therapy improve the prognosis for the patient with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), there is an increasing concern regarding the potentially harmful effects of lifelong TSH suppression. Therefore, we aimed to examine the changes in body composition under TSH suppression in postmenopausal women with DTC.
Methods: The body composition was assessed by the volumes as following; fat tissues of the epicardium and abdominal visceral and subcutaneous areas; bilateral psoas muscle or thigh muscle.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!