Ectopic fat and cardiovascular disease: What is the link?

Abstract 

Aim

of this paper is to review the recent literature on the relationship between ectopic fat accumulation and cardiovascular disease.

Data synthesis

Ectopic fat is an important predictor of metabolic (in particular insulin resistance) and cardiovascular disease, carrying more risk than general fat accumulation. Recent studies have shown a link between ectopic fat accumulation, as cardiac (epicardial or intra-myocardial fat) and/or visceral and/or hepatic fat, and development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and hypertension.

Conclusions

Ectopic fat accumulation is not only a marker of cardiometabolic disease, since through the release of adipocitokines, lipotoxic and glucotoxic agents, participates in the crosstalk with insulin-sensitive organs leading to metabolic, cardiac and vascular dysfunctions.

Keywords: Visceral fat, Cardiovascular disease, NAFLD – non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Epicardial fat