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Association of Pericardial Fat with Cardiac Structure, Function, and Mechanics: The Multi-Ethnic Study of

Jeff Min1, Mary E Putt2, Wei Yang2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|January 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Increased pericardial fat is linked to poorer heart function and reduced exercise capacity in adults. This finding suggests a role for pericardial fat in early heart failure development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Pericardial fat accumulation is associated with inflammation and insulin resistance, contributing to cardiac dysfunction.
  • Previous research suggests a link between pericardial fat and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
  • The specific impact of pericardial fat volume on cardiac structure and function in individuals without pre-existing cardiovascular disease requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between pericardial fat volume and cardiac structure and function.
  • To assess the relationship between pericardial fat and indicators of cardiac health in adults without baseline cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).
  • Linear regression models were used to examine associations.
  • Pericardial fat volume was measured using cardiac computed tomography; cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography, six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12).

Main Results:

  • A 1 SD increase in pericardial fat volume was associated with significantly worse left atrial reservoir strain, right ventricular free wall strain, and right atrial reservoir strain.
  • Greater pericardial fat volume was linked to a reduced 6-minute walk distance.
  • No significant association was found between pericardial fat volume and KCCQ-12 scores or N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide levels after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusions:

  • Pericardial fat volume is independently associated with subclinical dysfunction in the atria and right ventricle.
  • Reduced 6-minute walk distance is also linked to increased pericardial fat volume.
  • These findings indicate a potential mechanistic role for pericardial fat in the early stages of heart failure.
Abstract

Keywords:
Early heart failureEchocardiographyMyocardial strain analysisPericardial fat

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