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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Relationship Between Lipotoxicity and HFpEF
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Menopause, epicardial adiposity and preserved ejection fraction heart failure
Abdulrahman S Museedi1, Rohan Samson2, Thierry H Le Jemtel1
1Section of Cardiology, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States of America.
International Journal of Cardiology
|August 23, 2024
Summary
Menopause increases risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Expanding epicardial fat contributes to this condition, offering a target for early detection and intervention in postmenopausal women.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Postmenopausal women have higher rates of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
- Menopause transition involves increased visceral and epicardial adipose tissue, causing inflammation.
- This inflammation promotes left ventricular remodeling and diastolic dysfunction, key in HFpEF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) expansion in the pathogenesis of HFpEF during menopause.
- To establish menopause as a critical window for studying EAT's contribution to HFpEF.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing low-radiation coronary calcium score computed tomography (CT) for inexpensive EAT imaging.
- Correlating EAT measurements with cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction markers.
Main Results:
- Epicardial adipose tissue expansion is linked to left ventricular concentric remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
- Low-radiation CT effectively images EAT, unlike visceral adipose tissue imaging.
Conclusions:
- Epicardial adipose tissue expansion during menopause is a significant factor in HFpEF development.
- Coronary calcium score CT is a feasible method for assessing EAT in this population.
- Targeting EAT may offer novel therapeutic strategies for HFpEF in postmenopausal women.
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