Commentary
Several studies have documented a relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and structural heart disease, particularly diastolic function.
This meta-analysis by J. N. Yong et al. (Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore) examines the echocardiographic-derived cardiac function and structural characteristics in patients with NAFLD, and its association with liver disease severity and metabolic profile.
According to the results, “NAFLD is associated with impaired systolic and diastolic function with changes in cardiac structure. Concomitant metabolic risk factors and liver disease severity are independently associated with worsening systolic and diastolic function.”.
Hepatic inflammatory responses in liver fibrosis