Obesity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, rather
than general fat distribution, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) gains a growing concern. EAT
is the local adipose deposition between myocardium and pericardium. Accumulated
evidence revealed several distinguishing characteristics of EAT. It lies contiguously with the
myocardium and could infiltration into myocardium, actively secrets cytokines and
adipokines mediating inflammation or remodeling, and contains abundant ganglionated …

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and is
associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Epicardial adipose tissue
(EAT) serves as a biologically active organ with important endocrine and inflammatory
function. Review An accumulating body of evidence suggests that EAT is associated with the
initiation, perpetuation, and recurrence of AF, but the precise role of EAT in AF pathogenesis
is not completely elucidated. Pathophysiological mechanisms involve adipocyte infiltration …