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Increased pericardial adipose tissue is correlated with atrial fibrillation and left atrial dilatation

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Abstract

Introduction

Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), a visceral fat depot surrounding the heart, serves as an endocrine active organ and is associated with inflammation. There is growing evidence that atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked with inflammation, which in turn can be a promoter of left atrial remodeling. The aim of this study was to evaluate a potential correlation of PAT to AF and left atrial structural remodeling represented by LA size.

Methods

PAT was measured in 1,288 patients who underwent coronary artery calcium-scanning for coronary risk stratification. LA size was determined by two independent readers. Patients were subdivided into patients without AF, patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF.

Results

PAT was independently correlated with AF, persistent AF, and LA size (all p values <0.001). No association could be observed between paroxysmal AF and PAT. These associations persisted after multivariate adjustment for AF risk factors such as age, hypertension, valvular disease, heart failure, and body mass index (AF: OR 1.52, 95 % CI 1.15–2.00, p = 0.003; persistent AF: OR 2.58, 95 % CI 1.69–3.99, p = 0.001; LA size: regression coefficient 0.15 with 95 % CI 0.10–0.20, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

PAT is associated with AF, in particular with persistent AF and LA size. These findings suggest that PAT could be an independent risk factor for the development of AF and for LA remodeling.

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Abbreviations

PAT:

Pericardial adipose tissue

AF:

Atrial fibrillation

LA:

Left atrium

CAC:

Coronary artery calcium

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Grosshadern, University Hospital of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Martin Greif, Franz von Ziegler, Reza Wakili, Janine Tittus, Susanne Helbig, Wolfgang Schwarz, Jan Schenzle & Alexander Becker

  2. Department of Radiology, Klinikum Grosshadern, University Hospital of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Christoph Becker & Melvin D’Anastasi

  3. Institute for Cardiovascular Intervention and Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Alexander W. Leber

  4. Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Ruediger P. Laubender

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  1. Martin Greif
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  2. Franz von Ziegler
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Correspondence to Martin Greif.

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Greif, M., von Ziegler, F., Wakili, R. et al. Increased pericardial adipose tissue is correlated with atrial fibrillation and left atrial dilatation. Clin Res Cardiol 102, 555–562 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0566-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-013-0566-1

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