Epicardial adipose tissue： the accomplice implicated in the genesis and maintenance of atrial fibrillation  

作　　者：Fang Mingcheng Chen Yangxin Wang Jingfeng 

机构地区：[1]Sun Yat Sen Univ, Sun Yat Sen Mem Hosp, Dept Cardiol, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, Peoples R China [2]Guangdong Prov Key Lab Arrhythmia & Electrophysio, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, Peoples R China

出　　处：《Chinese Medical Journal》2014年第14期2700-2706,共7页中华医学杂志（英文版）

摘　　要：Objective The purpose of this review was to delineate our current knowledge of the close relationship between the abundance of epicardial adipose tissue （EAT） and the risk of all major cardiovascular disease, especially atrial fibrillation （AF）. Data sources The data analyzed in this review were mainly from articles reported in PubMed published from 1972 to 2014. Study selection Original articles and critical reviews relevant to EAT and AF were selected. Results EAT, a particular form of metabolically active visceral fat deposited around the heart, is being regarded as an important independent predictor of cardio-metabolic diseases. EAT is composed of smaller adipocytes than other visceral fat depots and functioned like brown adipose tissue （BAT） to protect adjacent tissues. Improving the understanding of EAT in AF genesis and maintenance may contribute to prevent AF and reduce the complications associated with AF. Conclusion The findings suggest that EAT associates with AF severity and the recurrence of AF after catheter ablation even after adjustment forAF risk factors, but the precise mechanisms are not fully elucidated.Objective The purpose of this review was to delineate our current knowledge of the close relationship between the abundance of epicardial adipose tissue （EAT） and the risk of all major cardiovascular disease, especially atrial fibrillation （AF）. Data sources The data analyzed in this review were mainly from articles reported in PubMed published from 1972 to 2014. Study selection Original articles and critical reviews relevant to EAT and AF were selected. Results EAT, a particular form of metabolically active visceral fat deposited around the heart, is being regarded as an important independent predictor of cardio-metabolic diseases. EAT is composed of smaller adipocytes than other visceral fat depots and functioned like brown adipose tissue （BAT） to protect adjacent tissues. Improving the understanding of EAT in AF genesis and maintenance may contribute to prevent AF and reduce the complications associated with AF. Conclusion The findings suggest that EAT associates with AF severity and the recurrence of AF after catheter ablation even after adjustment forAF risk factors, but the precise mechanisms are not fully elucidated.

关 键 词：epicardial adipose tissue ATRIALFIBRILLATION cardiovascular diseases 

分 类 号：R541.75[医药卫生—心血管疾病]