Interv Akut Kardiol. 2015;14(1):18-21

Epicardial fat - characteristics and significance

Jana Mlynárová¹, Andrea Gažová², Ondrej Sprušanský¹, Peter Musil¹, Eva Goncalvesová³, Ján Kyselovič²

¹ Katedra farmakológie a toxikológie, Farmaceutická fakulta UK, Bratislava

² Ústav farmakológie a klinickej farmakológie, Lekárska fakulta UK, Bratislava

Epicardial fat is concentrated in the atrioventricular and interventricular grooves and along the major branches of the coronary arteries,

and, to a lesser extent, around the atria, over the free wall of the right ventricle and over the apex of the left ventricle. Epicardial fat covers

80 % of the heart’s surface and constitutes 20 % of total heart weight. Epicardial fat is a metabolically active organ that generates various

bioactive molecules, which might significantly affect cardiac function. Further studies of this neglected tissue and its relationship with

cardiac function, as well as of its use as a marker of metabolic and cardiovascular risk, should be encouraged.

Keywords: epicardial adipose tissue, adipocytes, cytokines, cardiovascular disease

Published: April 20, 2015  Show citation