# Association of adipose tissue infiltration with cardiac function: scoping review

## TL;DR

This review explores how fat infiltration in muscles may be linked to poor heart function, suggesting it could be a useful biomarker.

## Contribution

The study identifies a novel association between skeletal muscle adipose infiltration and cardiac dysfunction, independent of obesity.

## Key findings

- Increased adipose tissue infiltration in skeletal muscles is linked to reduced exercise capacity and heart function.
- Higher infiltration is associated with lower left ventricular ejection fraction and increased heart failure events.
- The association exists in both cancer survivors and healthy individuals, independent of general obesity.

## Abstract

Evidence suggests that adipose tissue (AT) infiltration in skeletal muscles may negatively influence cardiac function, yet its use as a biomarker remains unclear. This scoping review examined the relationship between AT infiltration and cardiac function in adults. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL and SCOPUS identified peer-reviewed studies reporting AT infiltration and cardiac function measures. Excluded were review-type studies, animal studies, abstracts and case series. Study quality was assessed using the Study Quality Assessment Tool (SQAT). Three good-quality studies were included. Findings demonstrated a negative association between AT infiltration and cardiac function parameters, including exercise capacity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and heart failure events, in cancer survivors and healthy individuals. There is evidence supporting an association between increased AT infiltration of skeletal muscles and impaired cardiac function, highlighting the need for further research to validate AT infiltration as a potential biomarker. Despite the limited available studies, our findings highlight a distinct association between skeletal muscle AT infiltration and cardiac dysfunction, independent of general obesity.