Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was independently associated with a significantly higher risk of vulnerable coronary plaques, including remodeling lesions (adjusted OR 2.41) and lipid core plaques (adjusted OR 2.29).
Cross-Sectional (n=298)
No
Is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with vulnerable coronary plaques in patients undergoing MSCT for CAD diagnosis?
NAFLD is significantly associated with the presence of vulnerable coronary plaques (remodeling and lipid core lesions) on MSCT, suggesting it is a novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Odds Ratio: 2.41 (95% CI 1.24–4.67)
Absolute Event Rate: 31.7% vs 15.5%
p-value: p=0.009
BACKGROUND: Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) permits direct visualization of not only coronary artery stenosis but also the characteristics of plaques in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Also, because of its potential to be a novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease, interest in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants comprised 298 consecutive patients who received MSCT to diagnose CAD. Patients with an alcohol intake exceeding 20 g/day or with a history of known liver disease were excluded from the study. Liver steatosis and 4 coronary artery findings, including remodeling lesions, lipid core plaques, calcified plaques and narrowing of lumen, were assessed. Liver steatosis was evaluated by computed tomography density of the liver and spleen. In the study, NAFLD was defined as having a liver and spleen (L:S) ratio of <1.1. The L:S ratios of patients with remodeling lesions or lipid core plaques were significantly lower than those without. NAFLD was related significantly to those findings, but there was no correlation between calcified plaques, narrowing of lumen and L:S ratios. Adjusted odds ratio of NAFLD for remodeling lesions was 2.41 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-4.67; p=0.009), and those for lipid core lesions was 2.29 (95% CI, 1.15-4.56; p=0.018). CONCLUSION: NAFLD is a novel risk factor for vulnerable plaques.
Akabame et al. (2007) conducted a cross-sectional in Suspected coronary artery disease (n=298). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) vs. Patients without NAFLD was evaluated on Presence of coronary remodeling lesions (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.24-4.67, p=0.009). Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was independently associated with a significantly higher risk of vulnerable coronary plaques, including remodeling lesions (adjusted OR 2.41) and lipid core plaques (adjusted OR 2.29).