Impact of the cardiovascular system-associated adipose tissue on atherosclerotic pathology

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Cardiac obesity is a significant factor in cardiovascular disease development.
• Inflammation within adipose tissue is a key pathway linking cardiac obesity to disease.
• Cardiovascular system-associated fat influences metabolism, heart function, and vascular tone via adipokines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of cardiovascular system-associated fat in atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular pathology.
• To explore the link between cardiac fat, inflammation, and conditions like atrial fibrillation.
• To discuss the potential of cardiac fat imaging as a biomarker.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on cardiac obesity, adipose tissue inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.
• Analysis of the role of adipokines secreted by cardiac fat.
• Examination of imaging techniques for assessing epicardial and pericardial fat.

Main Results:

• Cardiac fat secretes adipokines with protective roles, but chronic inflammation alters this, increasing pro-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive signals.
• Altered adipokine signaling exacerbates cardiovascular inflammation, hypertension, and cardiac fibrosis.
• Epicardial fat thickness correlates with visceral fat but may be a better indicator for atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions:

• Cardiac obesity, through adipose tissue inflammation, contributes significantly to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
• Pericardial fat volume and epicardial fat thickness show promise as indicators for atrial fibrillation.
• Understanding cardiac fat's role is crucial for developing targeted cardiovascular disease therapies.