[Epicardial adipose tissue: more than a simple fat deposit?]

Abstract

Obesity increases the risk of development of atherosclerosis. However, this risk significantly depends on adipose tissue distribution in the body and ectopic accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Recent evidence suggests that each visceral fat deposit is anatomically and functionally different. Due to proximity to the organ, each visceral fat deposit exerts a local modulation rather than a systemic effect. Because of its unique location and biomolecular properties, a "non-traditional" fat depot - the epicardial adipose tissue - has been considered to play a causative role in atherosclerosis. Epicardial adipose tissue may be measured with imaging techniques and is clinically related to left ventricular mass, coronary artery disease, and metabolic syndrome. Therefore, epicardial fat measurement may play a role in stratification of cardiometabolic risk and may serve as a therapeutic target.