Metabolic Dysfunction in Cardiac Adipose Tissue and Valvular Disease
A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 63
Special Issue Editors
Interests: coronary artery bypass surgery; cardiac surgery; mitral valve annuloplasty; aortic diseases; heart transplantation
Interests: neonatology; pediatric cardiac disease
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the heart, three main types of adipose tissue—epicardial, pericardial, and intramyocardial—are found. Among these, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the most significant due to its unique anatomical and functional characteristics. EAT lies in direct contact with the myocardium, with no fascia separating the two, which allows continuous interaction with cardiac structures. Functionally, it is metabolically active, secreting adipokines that may exert protective or harmful effects depending on whether the body is in a healthy or diseased state. A distinctive feature of EAT is its metabolic plasticity, since it can express genes that are typically associated with brown or beige adipose tissue, enabling a dynamic metabolism and constant communication with heart chambers, valves, septa, vessels and wall. Additionally, EAT serves as a local energy reservoir, provides thermal insulation, and cushions coronary arteries against trauma.
EAT has been extensively studied in the context of cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, due to its strong link with cardiac dysfunction. This Special Issue focuses on how metabolic dysfunction in EAT influences valvular disease. Topics of interest include molecular and cellular pathways, tissue-specific metabolism, and systemic–local interactions, as well as novel biomarkers, imaging methods, and therapeutic approaches to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Prof. Dr. Pedro E. Antunes
Dr. Ana Burgeiro
Prof. Dr. Gonçalo Coutinho
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- epicardial adipose tissue
- valvular disease
- coronary artery disease
- metabolic syndrome
- obesity
- diabetes
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