Role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias

Rahul Samanta; Jim Pouliopoulos; Aravinda Thiagalingam; Pramesh Kovoor

doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.08.016

Role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias

Heart Rhythm. 2016 Jan;13(1):311-20. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.08.016. Epub 2015 Aug 12.

Authors

Rahul Samanta¹, Jim Pouliopoulos¹, Aravinda Thiagalingam¹, Pramesh Kovoor²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
² Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: pramesh.kovoor@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 26277495
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.08.016

Abstract

Epicardial adipose tissue is present in normal healthy individuals. It is a unique fat depot that, under physiologic conditions, plays a cardioprotective role. However, excess epicardial adipose tissue has been shown to be associated with prevalence and severity of atrial fibrillation. In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and myotonic dystrophy, fibrofatty infiltration of the myocardium is associated with ventricular arrhythmias. In the ovine model of ischemic cardiomyopathy, the presence of intramyocardial adipose or lipomatous metaplasia has been associated with increased propensity to ventricular tachycardia. These observations suggest a role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias. In this article, we review the role of cardiac adipose tissue in various cardiac arrhythmias and discuss the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Keywords: Adipose tissue; Arrhythmia; Atrial fibrillation; Tachyarrhythmia.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adipose Tissue* / pathology
Adipose Tissue* / physiopathology
Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* / pathology
Arrhythmias, Cardiac* / physiopathology
Humans
Myocardium / pathology*