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The Role of Epicardial Fat in Pericardial Diseases

Current Cardiology Reports volume 20, Article number: 40 (2018) Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Despite the recent advancements in diagnostic modalities and therapeutic options available, the pathophysiology of pericardial syndromes remains poorly understood. In this review article, we explore the possible links between cardiac adiposity and pericardial syndromes.

Recent Findings

Over the last years, the notion of cardiac adipose tissue has radically changed, and its pivotal role in myocardial diseases has been acknowledged. Recent evidence suggests a cross-talk between epicardial fat and the heart. Imaging of epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue has an independent predictive/prognostic value in cardiovascular disease. Recent data suggests that imaging of epicardial adipose tissue may also provide prognostic information on the clinical course of patients with acute pericarditis.

Summary

Evidence from clinical and translational studies suggests possible links between epicardial fat and pericardial diseases, which need to be further explored. Epicardial adipose tissue could have a role both as a prognostic biomarker in pericardial syndromes and as potential therapeutic target for pericardial diseases. The findings of future research in the field are eagerly anticipated.

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Fig. 1

Abbreviations

EAT :

Epicardial adipose tissue

PAT :

Pericardial adipose tissue

CT:

Computed tomography

CMR:

Cardiac magnetic resonance

NSAIDs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

PET:

Positron emission tomography

AF:

Atrial fibrillation

AMI:

Acute myocardial infarction

CAD:

Coronary artery disease

CVD:

Cardiovascular disease

HF:

Heart failure

MACE:

Major adverse coronary events

VT:

Ventricular tachycardia

VF:

Ventricular fibrillation

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Author information

Author notes

  1. George Lazaros and Alexios Antonopoulos contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Cardiology Department, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27, Athens, Greece

    George Lazaros, Alexios Antonopoulos & Dimitris Tousoulis

  2. RDM Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Alexios Antonopoulos & Charalambos Antoniades

Authors
  1. George Lazaros
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  2. Alexios Antonopoulos
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  3. Charalambos Antoniades
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  4. Dimitris Tousoulis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to George Lazaros.

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Conflict of Interest

George Lazaros, Alexios Antonopoulos, Charalambos Antoniades, and Dimitris Tousoulis declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pericardial Disease

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Lazaros, G., Antonopoulos, A., Antoniades, C. et al. The Role of Epicardial Fat in Pericardial Diseases. Curr Cardiol Rep 20, 40 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-018-0986-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-018-0986-7

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