Characterization of Epicardial and Pericardial Adipose Tissue in Coronary Artery Disease

Characterization of Epicardial and Pericardial Adipose Tissue in Coronary Artery Disease

Human epicardial fat is the true visceral fat depot of the heart, and its regional distribution and physiology is of growing scientific and clinical interest. This study aims to characterize the expression profile and function of the epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue compartments of the heart (EAT and PAT). EAT and PAT adipose biopsies will be obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or valve replacement surgery.

The epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) stretches from the myocardium to the visceral layer of the pericardium. Adipose located on the outside of the visceral pericardium to the external site of the pericardium is called the pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), and is of a separate origin than EAT. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the global expression profile of the EAT and PAT compartments, in addition to characterizing the function, structure, metabolic and inflammatory profile. Furthermore, this study will determine whether CABG and valve replacement patients display different EAT and PAT characteristics

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age <80 years
• Patients undergoing elective heart surgery either for coronary bypass grafting or for other purposes

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability of the patient to provide informed consent
• Severe kidney failure, GFR<30
• Previous cardio-thoracic surgery
• There are no other specific exclusion criteria, as long as the patient is considered eligible for surgery by the clinicians