Commentary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity/mortality, including heart failure. Abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) structure/function are associated with heart failure risk. Participants from the population-based CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study year 25 exam (2010-2011, aged 43-55 years, 61% women, 48% black) with computed tomography measured liver fat and comprehensive echocardiography were included. Echocardiography was repeated at year 30 follow-up (aged 47-62 years, N=1827). NAFLD was defined as liver attenuation ≤40 HU after exclusions. NAFLD prevalence was 8.7% (n=159). NAFLD participants had higher LV mass, relative wall thickness, incident LV hypertrophy and abnormal LV geometry versus non-NAFLD (P<0.02). NAFLD participants had impaired LV relaxation (E/A ratio 1.1 versus 1.2), higher LV filling pressures (E/e’ ratio 7.9 versus 7.2), worse longitudinal strain (-13.9% versus -15.3%), and lower LV ejection fraction (58.9% versus 60.2%, P<0.01). In multivariable analyses adjusted for heart failure risk factors, NAFLD was independently associated with incident LV hypertrophy (odds ratio: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1-3.4), abnormal LV geometry (odds ratio: 1.9, 1.1-3.3) and greater change in strain (odds ratio: 2.2, 1.1-4.7). Adjustment for body mass index attenuated associations to non-significance. Thus, these data provide evidence that NAFLD is a risk factor for LV dysfunction.
