Pericardial fat and its influence on cardiac diastolic function.
Vera H W de Wit-Verheggen1,2, Sibel Altintas3, Romy J M Spee2
1NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Cardiovascular Diabetology
|August 19, 2020
Summary
Increased pericardial fat volume is linked to reduced diastolic function in healthy adults. This suggests pericardial fat may directly impair heart distensibility and contribute to diastolic dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Pericardial fat (PF) may directly influence cardiomyocyte function.
- PF's role in diastolic dysfunction in healthy individuals requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pericardial fat volume and diastolic function parameters.
- To determine if higher PF volume correlates with lower diastolic function in healthy subjects.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 254 healthy adults (40-70 years) with atypical chest pain.
- Coronary computed tomographic angiography for PF volume measurement.
- Transthoracic echocardiography for diastolic function assessment; multivariable regression analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant associations found between PF volume and all four diastolic parameters after adjustment for BMI, age, and sex.
- Subjects with high PF volume exhibited reduced left atrial volume index, lower E/e, E/A, and e' (lateral and septal) compared to low PF volume group.
Conclusions:
- Pericardial fat volume is associated with diastolic function, even in healthy individuals with normal cardiac function.
- Mechanical effects of PF may limit cardiac distensibility, contributing to diastolic dysfunction.
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