Submit Manuscript    >>    Login | Register

The Role of Pericardial and Epicardial Fat in Atrial Fibrillation Pathophysiology and Ablation Outcomes


Emerging evidence suggests that epicardial and pericardial fat are related to the presence, severity and outcome of AF. These associations, independent of generalized obesity, suggest that they may become increasingly useful as markers for risk stratification or monitoring in the clinical setting. Mechanistically, studies have suggested the effects of epicardial and pericardial fat may be mediated by local adipokines, inflammation, fatty infiltration, modulation of AF drivers and left atrial dilatation. Given the interrelated epidemics of AF and obesity, the role that the adipose tissue surrounding the heart has in the pathogenesis of AF remains an active area of investigation. This may ultimately lead to new insights in combatting these dual epidemics.

Credits: Christopher X. Wong, MBBS; Rajiv Mahajan, MD; Rajeev Pathak, MBBS; Darragh J. Twomey, MBBS; Prashanthan Sanders, MBBS, PhD, FHRS


Biosense Webster
event date
Introduction to AFib
Ablation Specialist

View Ablation Specialists