Pericardial adiposity and cardiac arrhythmia vulnerability

Abstract

Background: The cellular mechanisms that predispose to arrhythmia include heterogeneic conduction slowing and/or changes in repolarisation time (e.g. regional alterations in transmural electrophysiology). Augmented pericardial adiposity is an independent risk factor for atrial and ventricular fibrillation, but the cellular mechanisms are unknown. Very limited data indicate pericardial adipose tissue exhibits paracrine characteristics, secreting factors which modulate cardiac electrophysiology. Recent evidence demonstrates pericardial adipose tissue can synthesise oestrogens which are known to affect cardiomyocyte function. It is hypothesised that augmented pericardial adiposity promotes epic..