Is epicardial adipose tissue a key pathophysiologic target in heart failure with preserved ejection?

The epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat deposit that covers up to 80% of the heart surface and can constitute up to 20% of total cardiac mass. The EAT and myocardium both originate from the splanchnic mesoderm, and due to their shared embryology have a common blood supply with no fascia separating the EAT from the myocardium. In terms of blood supply, ontogenetic origin and transcriptome, EAT differs from other visceral and subcutaneous fat depots [1]. As a result of approximation and shared blood supply, the EAT can have a direct (bidirectional) paracrine effect on the myocardium potentially influencing cardiomyocyte function.
Source: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology - Category: Cytology Authors: Tags: Letter to the editor Source Type: research