Epicardial Adipose Tissue Changes After Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Metabolic Health
• Bariatric Surgery Outcomes

Background:

• Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active visceral fat depot surrounding the heart.
• Excessive EAT is increasingly associated with cardiovascular conditions and metabolic dysfunction.
• Understanding the impact of interventions on EAT is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk.

Approach:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.
• Studies published up to November 26, 2022, evaluating EAT, pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), or total cardiac fat changes before and after bariatric surgery (BS) were included.
• 35 studies were selected from 623 initial articles for analysis.

Key Points:

• Twenty-one studies reported a significant reduction in EAT following bariatric surgery.
• Only one study indicated a non-significant reduction in EAT (p = 0.2).
• The findings suggest a consistent and positive effect of BS on reducing cardiac fat.

Conclusions:

• Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention for significantly reducing epicardial adipose tissue.
• Reduced EAT post-BS may contribute to improved cardiovascular health and metabolic profiles.
• Further research can explore the long-term cardiovascular benefits associated with BS-induced EAT reduction.