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Quantification of Global Diastolic Function by Kinematic Modeling-based Analysis of Transmitral Flow via the Parametrized Diastolic Filling Formalism
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Pericardial- Rather than Intramyocardial Fat Is Independently Associated with Left Ventricular Systolic Heart

Peter Wolf1, Yvonne Winhofer1, Sabina Smajis1

  • 1Medical University of Vienna, Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vienna, Austria.

Plos One
|March 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Pericardial fat, not intramyocardial fat, is linked to reduced cardiac function in healthy individuals. This finding highlights pericardial fat as a key factor in myocardial health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant risk factor for heart failure, potentially due to lipotoxicity from intramyocardial (MYCL) and pericardial (PERI) fat accumulation.
  • MYCL may be a marker of metabolic disturbance rather than a direct cause of cardiac dysfunction.
  • PERI fat may influence cardiac function through mechanical and paracrine effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MYCL and PERI fat accumulation and myocardial function in metabolically healthy individuals.
  • To determine whether PERI or MYCL is a stronger predictor of altered cardiac function.

Main Methods:

  • 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging were used to assess MYCL and PERI in 31 metabolically healthy subjects.
  • Systolic and diastolic left ventricular function were evaluated.
  • Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between fat depots and cardiac function.

Main Results:

  • PERI fat showed significant negative correlations with Stroke Volume (SV) and Cardiac Index (CI).
  • MYCL fat did not show significant correlations with SV or CI.
  • Multiple regression analysis indicated that PERI negatively predicted CI, while MYCL had no significant impact.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac fat depots, specifically PERI fat, significantly impact left ventricular function in metabolically healthy individuals.
  • PERI fat is a more critical predictor of altered myocardial function compared to MYCL.
Abstract

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