cardiac lipomatosis
Excessive fatty infiltration of the heart, distinct from lipomatous hypertrophy, involving replacement of myocardium with adipose tissue.
Full Definition
Cardiac lipomatosis refers to excessive fatty infiltration of the heart muscle, representing replacement of normal myocardium with mature adipose tissue. This condition differs from lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum, which involves fat accumulation without myocyte replacement. Cardiac lipomatosis can be focal or diffuse and may involve any cardiac chamber, though right-sided involvement is more common. The condition can be associated with obesity, aging, chronic disease, or cardiomyopathy. Pathologically, there is replacement of myocytes by mature adipocytes without inflammation or fibrosis. The fatty infiltration can disrupt normal cardiac architecture and conduction pathways, potentially leading to arrhythmias. Imaging shows characteristic fat density on CT and signal characteristics on MRI.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from lipomatous hypertrophy which involves fat accumulation without myocyte loss.
In Context
- "CT imaging revealed extensive cardiac lipomatosis with replacement of the right ventricular free wall." — Radiology report
- "The autopsy showed cardiac lipomatosis with complete fatty replacement of the posterior wall myocardium." — Forensic pathology report