Atrial fibrillation is highly prevalent yet undertreated in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Incident cardiac arrhythmias associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a nationwide histology cohort study

BACKGROUND

Prior studies suggest a link between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and incident arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF). However, robust data are lacking from cohorts with liver histology, which remains the gold standard for staging MASLD severity.

METHODS

This population-based cohort included all Swedish adults with histologically-confirmed MASLD and without prior cardiac arrhythmias (1966-2016; n = 11,206). MASLD was defined from prospectively-recorded histopathology, and characterized as simple steatosis, non-fibrotic steatohepatitis (MASH), non-cirrhotic fibrosis, or cirrhosis. MASLD patients were matched to ≤ 5 controls without MASLD or arrhythmias, by age, sex, calendar year and county (n = 51,856). Using Cox proportional hazards modeling, we calculated multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for incident arrhythmias (including AF, bradyarrhythmias, other supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias/cardiac arrest).

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 10.8 years, incident arrhythmias were confirmed in 1351 MASLD patients (10.3/1000 person-years [PY]) and 6493 controls (8.7/1000PY; difference = 1.7/1000PY; aHR = 1.30, 95%CI 1.22-1.38), and MASLD patients had significantly higher rates of incident AF (difference = 0.9/1000PY; aHR = 1.26, 95%CI 1.18-1.35). Rates of both overall arrhythmias and AF were significantly elevated across all MASLD histological groups, particularly cirrhosis (differences, 8.5/1000PY and 5.3/1000PY, respectively). In secondary analyses, MASLD patients also had significantly higher rates of incident ventricular arrhythmias/cardiac arrest (aHR = 1.53, 95%CI 1.30-1.80), bradyarrhythmias (aHR = 1.26, 95%CI 1.06-1.48), and other supraventricular arrhythmias (aHR = 1.27, 95%CI 1.00-1.62), compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to matched controls, patients with biopsy-confirmed MASLD had modest but significantly higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, including AF, bradyarrhythmias, other supraventricular arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias/cardiac arrest. Excess risk was observed across all stages of MASLD and was highest with cirrhosis.

Management of Stroke in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: A Practical Review

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a highly prevalent condition. There is burgeoning recognition that there are many people with subclinical liver disease that may nonetheless be clinically significant. CLD has a variety of systemic aberrations relevant to stroke, including thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, elevated liver enzymes, and altered drug metabolism. There is a growing body of literature on the intersection of CLD and stroke. Despite this, there have been few efforts to synthesize these data, and stroke guidelines provide scant guidance on this topic. To fill this gap, this multidisciplinary review provides a contemporary overview of CLD for the vascular neurologist while appraising data regarding the impact of CLD on stroke risk, mechanisms, and outcomes. Finally, the review addresses acute and chronic treatment considerations for patients with stroke-ischemic and hemorrhagic-and CLD.

TASL Practice Guidance on the Clinical Assessment and Management of Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multisystem disease and is significantly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. NAFLD has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease in Western countries, and the proportion of NAFLD-related cirrhosis among patients on liver transplantation waiting lists has increased. In light of the accumulated data about NAFLD, and to provide a common approach with multi-disciplines dealing with the subject, it has become necessary to create new guidance for diagnosing and treating NAFLD. This guidance was prepared following an interdisciplinary study under the leadership of the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver (TASL), Fatty Liver Special Interest Group. This new TASL Guidance is a practical application guide on NAFLD and was prepared to standardize the clinical approach to diagnosing and treating NAFLD patients. This guidance reflects many advances in the field of NAFLD. The proposals in this guidance are meant to aid decision-making in clinical practice. The guidance is primarily intended for gastroenterology, endocrinology, metabolism diseases, cardiology, internal medicine, pediatric specialists, and family medicine specialists.

Review article: the safety of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents in patients with cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis were long thought to be coagulopathic. However, this paradigm has changed in recent years and currently, cirrhosis is recognised as a prothrombotic state. Due to the increasing incidence of cirrhosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis which is closely associated with cardiac disease, patients with cirrhosis increasingly require therapy with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. However, their potential for causing catastrophic and life-threatening bleeding in patients with cirrhosis leads to hesitancy about their use in patients with cirrhosis. Overall, traditional anticoagulation is safe for all Child-Pugh classes while newer direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are mostly safe in Child-Pugh class A/B and contraindicated in severe hepatic impairment. For different indications, published data to date suggest that anticoagulation is overall safe for patients with cirrhosis who have venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation and portal vein thrombosis, and does not increase the risk of variceal bleeding. Moreover, DOACs appear to have similar safety profiles as traditional anticoagulants. Finally, most studies suggest that antiplatelet agents are also safe to use in patients with cirrhosis although they are mostly contraindicated in severe hepatic impairment. For both anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, severe thrombocytopaenia presents a relative contraindication to their use. More prospective trials and large cohort studies are needed to advance our understanding of the safety and nuances of DOACs and antiplatelet agents in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

The Burden of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: A Systematic Review of Epidemiology Studies

Background and Aims

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with increased mortality and risk of complications but is often asymptomatic and under-recognized. A systematic review of NASH epidemiology was conducted to provide information on the burden of NASH and highlight important evidence gaps for future research.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for English-language publications published from 2010 to January 2022 that reported on natural history, risk factors, comorbidities, and complications of a NASH population or subpopulation.

Results

Overall, 173 publications were included. NASH was shown to have a variable disease course and high prevalence of comorbid disease. Although many patients progressed to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, disease regression or resolution was reported in up to half of patients in some studies. Reported risk factors for disease progression or resolution included levels of (or changes in) serum fibrosis markers, liver enzymes, and platelets. The presence of NASH increased the risk of liver cirrhosis and other serious diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. In 2017, NASH was responsible for ∼118,000 cirrhosis deaths globally, and an increasing proportion of patients are receiving liver transplantation for NASH in Europe and the United States. Consolidation of data was hampered by heterogeneity across the studies in terms of patient populations, follow-up time, and outcomes measured.

Conclusion

NASH is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, an increased risk of comorbidities, and imposes an increasing burden among liver transplantation recipients. Longer studies with harmonized study criteria are required to better understand the impact of NASH on patient outcomes.

Relatively Poor Long-term Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation for NASH in the United States

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) continues to increase in frequency as an indication for liver transplantation (LT). Data on long-term outcomes for these patients are limited. We aimed to compare long-term patient and graft survival in patients undergoing LT for NASH in the United States to other indications.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients of adult patients who underwent primary deceased-donor LT from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

NASH has increased as an indication for LT by 4.5-fold, from 5.2% in 2005 to 23.4% in 2019. Patient (61.2%) and graft survival (59.2%) at 10 y are significantly poorer for NASH than for all other indications other than alcohol. Patients transplanted for NASH have higher body mass index (32.2 versus 27.6) and greater frequency of diabetes (13% versus 11.6%) than any other indication (P < 0.001). Portal vein thrombosis, location in intensive care unit, dialysis, and pre-LT diabetes (P < 0.001 for all) are independently predictive of patient death and graft loss. Body mass index is not predictive. NASH patients undergoing simultaneous liver kidney have markedly worse 10-y patient and graft survival than liver-only (52.3% versus 62.1%). Graft loss was attributed to recurrence of NASH in <1% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

LT for NASH is associated with relatively poor long-term patient and graft survival when compared with patients transplanted for other indications, NASH patients undergoing simultaneous liver kidney have the worst long-term outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of pre-existing and new-onset atrial fibrillation on outcomes before and after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, as it is a major risk factor for cerebral vascular accidents (CVA). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of pre-existing and new-onset AF among patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) and its impact on post-transplant outcomes.

METHODS

Medline and Embase were searched. Single-arm analysis was conducted using the generalized linear mixed model to determine the prevalence of pre-existing and new-onset AF. Logistic regression was performed to analyze risk factors. Comparative meta-analysis in odds ratio was conducted for binary outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty articles were included, with 17 studies on pre-existing AF, and 7 including data on new-onset AF post-LT. The prevalence of pre-existing AF was 3.3% (CI 2.3-4.7) (14 studies, 45,070 patients) in pooled analysis. Significantly higher prevalence of pre-existing AF patients from North America was noted when compared to Europe (4.5%, CI 3.4-5.8 vs 1.5%, CI 0.8-2.7; p = 0.001). Body mass index (BMI), history of hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) were risk factors for pre-existing AF. Pre-existing AF was significantly associated with major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) postoperatively (OR 8.02, 95%CI 5.40-11.90, p < 0.001). New-onset AF post-LT had an incidence of 6.8% (CI 4.9-9.3), and was associated with increased risk of mortality (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.76-3.02, p < 0.001) and graft failure (OR 2.98, CI 1.99-4.47, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

AF is relatively more common among patients undergoing LT compared to the general non-transplant population. Additionally, it is associated with adverse outcomes including MACCE, thus warranting clinical attention. Thorough cardiac assessment, and close surveillance of post-operative AF may be clinically prudent.

The National Consensus statement on the management of adult patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and main comorbidities

The National Consensus was prepared with the participation of the National Medical Association for the Study of the Multimorbidity, Russian Scientific Liver Society, Russian Association of Endocrinologists, Russian Association of Gerontologists and Geriatricians, National Society for Preventive Cardiology, Professional Foundation for the Promotion of Medicine Fund PROFMEDFORUM. The aim of the multidisciplinary consensus is a detailed analysis of the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the main associated conditions. The definition of NAFLD is given, its prevalence is described, methods for diagnosing its components such as steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis are described. The association of NAFLD with a number of cardio-metabolic diseases (arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, thrombotic complications, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, dyslipidemia, etc.), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the risk of developing hepatocellular cancer (HCC) were analyzed. The review of non-drug methods of treatment of NAFLD and modern opportunities of pharmacotherapy are presented. The possibilities of new molecules in the treatment of NAFLD are considered: agonists of nuclear receptors, antagonists of pro-inflammatory molecules, etc. The positive properties and disadvantages of currently used drugs (vitamin E, thiazolidinediones, etc.) are described. Special attention is paid to the multi-target ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) molecule in the complex treatment of NAFLD as a multifactorial disease. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and cytoprotective properties, the ability to reduce steatosis an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular pathology, reduce inflammation and hepatic fibrosis through the modulation of autophagy are considered. The ability of UDCA to influence glucose and lipid homeostasis and to have an anticarcinogenic effect has been demonstrated. The Consensus statement has advanced provisions for practitioners to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD and related common pathogenetic links of cardio-metabolic diseases.

Relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiac arrhythmia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

We performed a meta-analysis to create a quantitative estimate of the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the risk of cardiac arrhythmia (including atrial fibrillation (AF), prolonged QT interval, premature atrial/ventricular contraction [PAC/PVC] and heart block).

Methods

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library database to identify observational studies of the link between NAFLD and cardiac arrhythmia. Effect sizes were expressed as odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The method of analysis of AF was also analysed separately, according to the effect estimate (OR or HR).

Results

Nineteen studies of 7,012,960 individuals were included. NAFLD was independently associated with higher risks of AF (OR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.14–2.57; HR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.11–1.13), prolonged QT interval (OR 2.86, 95% CI: 1.64–4.99), PAC/PVC (OR 2.53, 95% CI: 1.70–3.78) and heart block (OR 2.65, 95% CI: 1.88–3.72). The heterogeneity of the data with respect to AF and prolonged QT was moderate on sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

We found a significantly higher risk of cardiac arrhythmia in patients with NAFLD, but the observational design of the studies does not permit conclusions regarding causality.

Liver Fibrosis is Associated with Ischemic Stroke Risk in Women but not Men: The REGARDS Study

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is inconsistently associated with ischemic stroke, with one study suggesting an association in women and not men. The relative importance of liver fibrosis, as opposed to fatty liver, for cardiovascular risk is increasingly appreciated. We hypothesized that advanced liver fibrosis is associated with incident ischemic stroke risk, and especially in women.

METHODS

We performed a case-cohort study in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort. Black and white individuals aged 45 and older were recruited between 2003 and 2007 and followed for ischemic stroke. The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Score (NFS) were calculated using baseline data for stroke cases and a cohort random sample; advanced liver fibrosis was classified using validated cutoffs. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of stroke after adjusting for potential confounders. Sex differences were assessed.

RESULTS

There were 572 incident ischemic strokes (285 in women) over 5.4 (SD, 2.2) years. Advanced liver fibrosis was not significantly associated with ischemic stroke overall using the FIB-4 (HR 1.44; 95% CI 0.49-4.28) or NFS (HR 1.76; 95% CI 0.67-4.61). However, liver fibrosis was associated with stroke in women (HR 3.51; 95% CI 1.00-12.34) but not men (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.16-3.16) (P = 0.098 for interaction) when using FIB-4. A similar but non-significant sex difference was seen for NFS.

CONCLUSION

Advanced liver fibrosis may be associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke in women but not men.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: from pathophysiology to practical issues

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in heart failure (HF) preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients could reach 50%. Therefore, NAFLD is considered an emerging risk factor. In 20% of NAFLD patients, the condition progresses to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the aggressive form of NAFLD characterized by the development of fibrosis in the liver, leading to cirrhosis. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the relationships between NAFLD and HFpEF and to discuss its impact in clinical setting. Based on international reports published during the past decade, there is growing evidence that NAFLD is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, including impaired cardiac structure and function, arterial hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and early carotid atherosclerosis. NAFLD and HFpEF share common risk factors, co-morbidities, and cardiac outcomes, in favour of a pathophysiological continuum. Currently, NAFLD and NASH are principally managed with non-specific therapies targeting insulin resistance like sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors and liraglutide, which can effectively treat hepatic and cardiac issues. Studies including HFpEF patients are ongoing. Several specific NAFLD-oriented therapies are currently being developed either alone or as combinations. NAFLD diagnosis is based on a chronic elevation of liver enzymes in a context of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, with fibrosis scores being available for clinical practice. In conclusion, identifying HF patients at risk of NAFLD is a critically important issue. As soon as NAFLD is confirmed and its severity determined, patients should be proposed a management focused on symptoms and co-morbidities.

Cardiovascular Disease in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: Screening and Management

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.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pandemic Fuels the Upsurge in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of death worldwide. Among the major risk factors for CVD, obesity and diabetes mellitus have received considerable attention in terms of public policy and awareness. However, the emerging prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as the most common liver and metabolic disease and a cause of CVD, has been largely overlooked. Currently, the number of individuals with NAFLD is greater than the total number of individuals with diabetes mellitus and obesity. Epidemiological studies have established a strong correlation between NAFLD and an increased risk of CVD and CVD-associated events. Although debate continues over the causal relationship between NAFLD and CVD, many mechanistic and longitudinal studies have indicated that NAFLD is one of the major driving forces for CVD and should be recognized as an independent risk factor for CVD apart from other metabolic disorders. In this review, we summarize the clinical evidence that supports NAFLD as a risk factor for CVD epidemics and discuss major mechanistic insights regarding the acceleration of CVD in the setting of NAFLD. Finally, we address the potential treatments for NAFLD and their potential impact on CVD.

Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The most common causes of chronic liver disease in the developed world-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-are the hepatic manifestations of an insulin-resistant state that is linked to visceral adiposity and systemic inflammation. NAFLD and NASH lead to an expansion of epicardial adipose tissue and the release of proinflammatory adipocytokines that cause microcirculatory dysfunction and fibrosis of the adjoining myocardium, resulting in atrial fibrillation as well as heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Inflammatory changes in the left atrium lead to electroanatomical remodeling; thus, NAFLD and NASH markedly increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. Simultaneously, patients with NAFLD or NASH commonly show diastolic dysfunction or latent HFpEF. Interventions include 1) weight loss by caloric restriction, bariatric surgery, or intensive exercise, and 2) drugs that ameliorate fat-mediated inflammation in both the liver and heart (eg, statins, metformin, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and pioglitazone). Patients with NAFLD or NASH commonly have an inflammation-related atrial and ventricular myopathy, which may contribute to symptoms and long-term outcomes.

Association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of atrial fibrillation in adult individuals: An updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Recent studies examined the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in adults, but the findings have been inconsistent. We provided a quantitative estimate of the magnitude of the association between NAFLD and risk of AF.

METHODS

We searched publication databases using predefined keywords to identify observational studies (published up to December 14, 2018), in which NAFLD was diagnosed by biopsy, imaging or biochemistry and AF was diagnosed by medical history and electrocardiograms. Data from selected studies were extracted and meta-analysis was performed using random-effects modelling.

RESULTS

Nine cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were included in the final analysis (n = 364 919 individuals). Meta-analysis of data from 5 cross-sectional studies showed that NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of prevalent AF (random-effects odds ratio 2.07, 95% CI 1.38-3.10; I²  = 54.7%), independent of age, sex, body mass index, hypertension and other common AF risk factors. This risk was particularly high among patients with established diabetes (n = 1 study; random-effects odds ratio 5.17, 95% CI 2.05-13.02). Meta-analysis of data from 4 longitudinal studies showed that NAFLD was independently associated with a 10-year increased risk of incident AF only in type 2 diabetic patients (n = 1 study; random-effects hazard ratio 4.96, 95% CI 1.42-17.28). Sensitivity analyses did not modify these findings. Funnel plots did not reveal significant publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD is associated with an increased risk of AF in middle-aged and elderly individuals (especially in those with type 2 diabetes). However, the observational design of the eligible studies does not allow for proving causality.