Ectopic fat and cardiovascular disease: what is the link?

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.