Cardiovascular Disease in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Screening and Management
- PMID: 33585157
- PMCID: PMC7879797
- DOI: 10.1007/s11901-020-00530-0
Cardiovascular Disease in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Screening and Management
Abstract
Purpose of review: The global burden of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as a major cause of chronic liver disease continues to rise. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. The current review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of CVD in NASH and strategies for screening and management.
Recent findings: Large genetic epidemiological studies support the intricate role of the metabolic syndrome in the pathophysiology of CVD risk in patients with NASH. Atherosclerotic CVD risk scores can predict elevated CV risk in NASH, but additional work is necessary to refine risk stratification and to guide optimal management. New antidiabetic agents may offer benefit in treating steatosis and reducing CV morbidity in NASH.
Summary: Achieving improved outcomes in patients with NASH requires that future efforts focus on optimizing methods for CVD screening and designing clinical trials with long-term cardiovascular endpoints in mind.
Keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; cirrhosis; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflicts of Interest Dr. Shroff has no conflicts to disclose. Dr. VanWagner reports grants and personal fees from W.L. Gore & Associates, personal fees from Gilead Sciences, personal fees from Salix Pharmaceuticals, and non-financial support from AMRA Medical, outside the submitted work.
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References
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- Wong RJ, Aguilar M, Cheung R, Perumpail RB, Harrison SA, Younossi ZM et al. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is the second leading etiology of liver disease among adults awaiting liver transplantation in the United States. Gastroenterology. 2015;148(3):547–55. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2014.11.039. - DOI - PubMed
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- Targher G, Byrne CD, Lonardo A, Zoppini G, Barbui C. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of incident cardiovascular disease: A meta-analysis. J Hepatol. 2016;65(3):589–600. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2016.05.013. - DOI - PubMed
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This meta-analysis convincingly demonstrated the increased incidence of CV events in individuals with NAFLD while suggesting a lack of assocation with CV mortality, a finding that was subsequently supported by mulitple other investiagtions.
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