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Pericardial Fat Is Associated With the Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmia in Asian Patients

Weng-Chio Tam1, Yung-Kuo Lin, Wing-Pong Chan

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University.

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|June 16, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Increased pericardial fat, particularly around the right ventricle, is linked to a higher frequency of ventricular premature beats (VPBs). This suggests ventricular pericardial fat may contribute to arrhythmias.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Pericardial fat is known to correlate with atrial fibrillation and coronary atherosclerosis.
  • The specific role of pericardial fat in ventricular arrhythmias has not been clearly defined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pericardial fat volume and the occurrence and frequency of ventricular premature beats (VPBs).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing dual-source computed tomography (CT) and 24-hour Holter ECG.
  • Quantification of pericardial fat volume using dual-source CT.
  • Correlation and regression analyses to assess the relationship between pericardial fat and VPBs.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in pericardial fat volume were observed among groups with no, occasional, and frequent VPBs (P<0.001).
  • VPB frequency strongly correlated with total pericardial fat, right ventricular (RV) pericardial fat, and left ventricular pericardial fat (P<0.001).
  • Increased quartiles of RV pericardial fat significantly elevated the risk of frequent VPBs (OR=3.2, P=0.047).

Conclusions:

  • Pericardial fat, especially RV pericardial fat, is associated with the frequency of VPBs.
  • These findings suggest that ventricular pericardial fat possesses arrhythmogenic potential.
Abstract

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