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Accumulation of pericardial fat correlates with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with normal

Masaaki Konishi1, Seigo Sugiyama, Koichi Sugamura

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.

Journal of Cardiology
|February 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Increased pericardial fat (PF) is linked to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with preserved ejection fraction. This association persists even when accounting for other risk factors like obesity and diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is a key factor in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
  • Obesity is a significant comorbidity associated with LVDD.
  • Pericardial fat (PF) may influence myocardial function and coronary circulation through paracrine or mechanical effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pericardial fat (PF) volume and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).
  • To determine if PF is an independent predictor of LVDD in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Main Methods:

  • Computed tomography was used to measure PF volume in 229 patients with suspected coronary artery disease and LVEF > 50%.
  • Echocardiographic parameters, including the E/e' ratio, were analyzed to diagnose LVDD.
  • Multivariate logistic regression was employed to assess the independence of the association between PF and LVDD.

Main Results:

  • PF volume showed significant correlations with E/e' (r=0.21, p<0.01), left ventricular mass index (r=0.23, p<0.001), and left atrial diameter (r=0.32, p<0.001).
  • Patients with LVDD had significantly greater mean PF volume (184±61 cm³) compared to those without LVDD (154±58 cm³, p<0.001).
  • Increased PF volume was independently associated with the presence of LVDD (OR: 2.00 per 100 cm³ increase, p=0.02).

Conclusions:

  • Pericardial fat volume is significantly associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with normal LVEF.
  • PF may play a role in the development of LVDD, independent of common risk factors like hypertension and diabetes.
Abstract

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