Epicardial adipose tissue: A cardiovascular risk marker to evaluate in chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease represents a true inflammatory state, and is related to multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Coronary artery disease is the major complication, and has usually been associated with non-classical or uraemic related factors that include the disturbance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, among others. Recent clinical evidence shows that specific body fat deposition like epicardial adipose tissue is an additional factor to consider when evaluating cardiovascular risk in the general population and kidney patients. Direct interaction of this tissue and coronary vessels with consequent mediation of pro-atherogenic substances have a local process ending in endothelial damage. Although the population of renal patients has been poorly evaluated, future studies should determine precisely whether an increase in epicardial fat is truly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this risk group.

Keywords: Calcificaciones vasculares; Cardiovascular risk; Chronic kidney disease; Enfermedad renal crónica; Epicardial adipose tissue; Riesgo cardiovascular; Tejido adiposo epicárdico; Vascular calcification.