FIGURE 4.

Association between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and metabolic disorders. EAT amount measured by imaging techniques is significantly higher in patients with metabolic disorders. An increased EAT volume is associated with a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular mortality, atrial fibrillation (AF) incidence, and reduced cardiac function. Further, in‐depth profiling studies suggest that EAT is remodeled into a more proinflammatory phenotype in patients with metabolic disorders. Finally, coculture studies explored the paracrine effect of EAT and provided preliminary evidence that EAT might be a link between metabolic disorders and CVDs.