Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and carotid intima-media thickness

Background

Many non-invasive methods have been studied for assessing the severity of fatty liver disease and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). However, the correlation between hepatic steatosis and CIMT has not been fully studied, either globally or in Vietnam. This study investigated the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and CIMT.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed on 125 patients at the Cardiology Department, the Emergency Interventional Cardiology Department, and the Internal Cardiology Clinic of Thong Nhat Hospital.

Results

Among the 125 patients in our study population, NAFLD was diagnosed in 56%, and the mean CIMT was 0.89 ± 0.48 mm. Normal CIMT was measured in 21% of patients, whereas 79% had an elevated CIMT. The NAFLD rates were significantly different between patients with normal and increased CIMT, at 26.9% and 69.6%, respectively (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our study revealed a strong association between NAFLD and CIMT. NAFLD is currently considered a feature of metabolic syndrome, and an increase in the prevalence of NAFLD might result in an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Correlation between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Various non-invasive methods have been studied for assessing the severity of fatty liver disease and coronary atherosclero-sis. However, the correlation between hepatic steatosis and coronary atherosclerosis has not been fully studied, either globally or specifically in Vietnam. This study investigated the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and coronary atherosclerosis using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

METHODS

An analytical cross-sectional study was performed, including 223 patients treated by the Cardiology Department, the Emergency Interventional Cardiology Departments, and the Internal Cardiology Clinic of Thong Nhat Hospital.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 223 patients, the NAFLD was detected in 66% of the population, the mean coronary artery stenosis (CAS) was 44.54% ± 20.23%, and the mean coronary artery calcium score (CACS) was 3569.05 ± 425.99, as assessed using the Agatston method. The proportion of patients with significant atherosclerotic plaque (CAS 50%) >was 32%, whereas the remaining 68% had insignificant stenosis. Among our study population, 16% had no coronary artery calcification, 38% had mild calcification, and 46% had moderate to severe calcification. In the group of NAFLD patients, 33.3% had significant atherosclerotic plaque, which was not significantly different from the rate in individuals without NAFLD (p = 0.51). Mild coronary artery calcification was detected in 37.4% of NAFLD patients, and moderate to severe calcification was detected in 48.3% (p = 0.45).

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD was not found to be strongly associated with coronary atherosclerosis in this study. More studies with larger sample sizes remain necessary to verify whether any correlation exists.

Giant double pseudoaneurysm of the right femoral artery and right coronary artery after transfemoral coronary intervention: a case report and literature review

we present our experiences of a patient with right femoral artery and right coronary artery pseudoaneurysms after percutaneous coro-nary intervention (PCI). These complications are rare in transfemoral coronary intervention. The patient underwent PCI to treat a chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesion at the right coronary artery (RCA) and developed sepsis due to Staphylococcus aureus infection following the use of femoral artery closure devices (FACD). To solve these complications, the patient underwent two vascular surgeries and a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to the RCA. To manage these conditions, we need to recognize them early and treat them properly by surgery. Interventional cardiologists should keep in mind that there are potential vascular complications associated with a PCI using FACD.