Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and advanced fibrosis are associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

Abstract

Background and aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be associated with a wide spectrum of cardiac abnormalities, which share many metabolic risk factors. This study aimed to evaluate whether NAFLD is associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction independent of other classical risk factors.

Methods: A total of 3300 subjects (mean age, 54.1 years; 62.9% men), who underwent echocardiography and hepatic ultrasonography, were enrolled. LV diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed and graded using conventional and Doppler echocardiographic assessments. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonographic findings without any evidence of significant alcohol consumption or viral hepatitis, other liver diseases, or medication provoking fatty liver. Advanced fibrosis was defined as having intermediate-high probability for advanced fibrosis using the NAFLD fibrosis score.

Results: The prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction was 35.1%. NAFLD had a higher prevalence and severity of LV diastolic dysfunction. The prevalence rates of LV diastolic dysfunction were significantly increased according to the NAFLD fibrosis grade (30.4% for no-NAFLD, 35.2% for NAFLD without advanced fibrosis and 57.4% for NAFLD with advanced fibrosis, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that NAFLD was associated with a 29% increase in the risk of diastolic dysfunction compared with controls (odds ratio [OR] 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.60). There was significant interaction between obesity (BMI < 25 kg/m²vs. ≥ 25 kg/m²) and advanced fibrosis for LV diastolic dysfunction. A significant, incrementally increased risk of diastolic dysfunction according to the fibrosis grade was more pronounced in the non-obese population [adjusted OR (95% CI), 1.40 (1.06-1.84) for NAFLD without advanced fibrosis, 1.44 (0.95-2.17) for NAFLD with advanced fibrosis vs. no NAFLD, P for trend = 0.022] compared with the obese population (p for trend = 0.081), independent of other well-defined risk factors.

Conclusions: NAFLD was associated with increased risk for LV diastolic dysfunction. In addition, an incrementally increased risk for LV diastolic dysfunction according to fibrosis grade was prominent in the non-obese population.

Keywords: Fibrosis; Heart failure; Hepatic steatosis; Non-obese.