The Relationship Between Pericardial Fat and Atrial Fibrillation

Pericardial adiposity is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular risk, especially for coronary artery disease. However, until 2010 researchers have not focused on the mechanistic role of pericardial fat in atrial fibrillation (AF) pathogenesis. Only a limited number of studies have reported on the significant association between pericardial fat and AF prevalence, and the role of pericardial fat on AF chronicity and symptom burden remain an ongoing debate. Several possible mechanisms associating pericardial fat with increased AF prevalence have been suggested, but no prior studies have definitively elucidated the precise role of pericardial adiposity on increased AF risk. Currently, pericardial fat has recently emerged as a new independent AF risk factor. In this brief review, we discuss several potential mechanisms that might associate pericardial fat to AF pathogenesis.