Myocardial steatosis across the spectrum of human health and disease

Abstract

Preclinical data strongly suggest that myocardial steatosis leads to adverse cardiac remodelling and left ventricular dysfunction. Using ¹ H cardiac magnetic resonance spectroscopy, similar observations have been made across the spectrum of health and disease. The purpose of this brief review is to summarize these recent observations. We provide a brief overview of the determinants of myocardial triglyceride accumulation, summarize the current evidence that myocardial steatosis contributes to cardiac dysfunction, and identify opportunities for further research.

Keywords: magnetic resonance; myocardial triglyceride content; steatosis.