Hepatosteatosis and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with myocardial infarction

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the involvement of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in myocardial infarction patients and its relation with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

This study consisted of 224 patients divided into three groups: those with myocardial infarction (MI), stable coronary artery disease (CAD), and normal coronary artery. Measurement of CIMT and abdominal ultrasonography for hepatosteatosis was performed in all participants.

NAFLD was significantly more frequent among MI patients compared to the other groups. There was a significant difference between CAD and the presence of NAFLD (p < 0.05). Also, we found significant correlations between the severity of CAD and hepatosteatosis grade (r = 0.648, p < 0.001), CAD and CIMT (r = 0.594, p < 0.001), and NAFLD and CIMT (r = 0.233, p = 0.005). NAFLD was also significantly correlated with the severity of CAD (r = 0.607, p < 0.001), and the grade of NAFLD significantly correlated with CIMT (r = 0.606, p < 0.001).

Patients with more severe CAD were more likely to have NAFLD. In addition, hepatosteatosis may be associated with coronary plaque instability and high fatty volume. Patients with NAFLD should be screened regularly for other cardiovascular risk factors, and the presence of fatty liver may help better classify these patients.