Independent effect of visceral fat on left atrial phasic function in the general population

Abstract Background and aims Obesity increases the risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), although the impact of abdominal fat distribution on left atrial (LA) morphology and functional remodeling remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether increased abdominal adiposity is independently associated with impaired LA function and/or LA enlargement in a sample of the general population and to evaluate the role of adipokines in this association. Methods and results The study cohort consisted of 527 participants (362 men; 57±10 years) without overt cardiac disease who underwent laboratory testing, abdominal computed tomographic examination and echocardiography. Abdominal adiposity was quantitatively assessed as visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) at the level of the umbilicus. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed to assess LA phasic function including reservoir, conduit and pump strain. LA reservoir and conduit strain decreased with increasing VFA quartiles (both p Conclusion In a sample of the general population, VFA accumulation was independently associated with worse LA conduit strain, which may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of obesity-related AF.