Obesity is a major risk factor for CVD. Visceral fat increases the risk, is the known fact. Recently it has been found, the association between EFV and risk for ACS. And also found significant increases in EFV in patients with ACS.

Team@CMHF

Increased epicardial fat volume (EFV) may be a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a study suggests. Excess accumulation of epicardial fat may serve as a source of inflammatory cytokines, leading to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

EFV was defined as the total amount of adipose tissue between the surface of the heart and the visceral layer of the pericardium. An EFV greater than 100.0 ml was independently associated with a 2.84-fold increased risk for ACS.

When compared with subcutaneous adipose tissue, epicardial adipose tissue showed inflammatory cell infiltrates on a micrograph, the researchers report.

Reference: http://www.incirculation.net/NewsItem/Increased-epicardial-fat-may-be-linked-to-greater-.aspx