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Relation between epicardial adipose tissue and left ventricular mass
Gianluca Iacobellis1, Maria Cristina Ribaudo, Alessandra Zappaterreno
1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. gianluca.iaco@tin.it
The American Journal of Cardiology
|October 13, 2004
Summary
Increased epicardial fat, the visceral fat around the heart, is linked to greater left ventricular mass in healthy individuals. This finding highlights a new relationship between heart fat and heart structure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Medical Imaging
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Visceral adiposity is an emerging cardiovascular risk factor.
- Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the visceral fat surrounding the heart.
- Understanding the relationship between EAT and cardiac structure is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between epicardial adipose tissue and left ventricular morphology.
- To test the hypothesis that increased EAT relates to changes in left ventricular structure.
- To examine this relationship across a spectrum of adiposity in healthy subjects.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study design.
- Inclusion of healthy subjects with a wide range of adiposity.
- Assessment of epicardial adipose tissue and left ventricular morphology.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between epicardial fat volume and left ventricular mass.
- This relationship was identified for the first time in healthy individuals.
- The findings suggest EAT influences cardiac structure.
Conclusions:
- Increased epicardial fat is significantly associated with increased left ventricular mass.
- This study provides novel insights into the impact of visceral adiposity on cardiac remodeling.
- Epicardial fat may serve as a relevant marker for cardiovascular risk related to cardiac morphology.