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 1H 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.