Clinical importance of epicardial adipose tissue

Different visceral fat compartments have several systemic effects and may play a role in the development of both insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. In the last couple of years special attention has been paid to the epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), which can be quantified by non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques. The epicardial fat is a unique fat compartment between the myocardium and the visceral pericardium sharing a common embryologic origin with the visceral fat depot. Epicardial adipose tissue has several specific roles, and its local effects on cardiac function are incorporated in the complex pathomechanism of coronary artery disease. Importantly, EAT may produce several adipocytokines and chemokines that may influence - through paracrine and vasocrine effects - the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Epicardial adipose tissue volume has a relatively strong genetic dependence, similarly to other visceral fat depots. In this article, the anatomical and physiological as well as pathophysiological characteristics of the epicardial fat compartment are reviewed.