NASH Could Affect Heart Structure, Function

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with structural abnormalities in the heart that increase risk of heart failure and myocardial infarction, according to the results of a recent study.

While data has suggested that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease could be associated with early heart failure, the relationship between NASH and changes in cardiac structure and function are unknown.
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In a retrospective cohort study, researchers examined data from 65 individuals without heart disease who underwent elective bariatric surgery with perioperative liver biopsy and had available transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Overall, 22% of the participants had NASH, and those with NASH had increased median left atrial (LA) volume and left ventricular (LV) mass. NASH was inversely correlated with indices of diastolic function, including septal E’,  and E:A.

After adjustments, NASH was still associated with increased LV mass index and LA volume index, as well as reduced lateral and septal E’.

“In this bariatric cohort, NASH was associated with changes in myocardial structure and in load-dependent indices of LV diastolic function, suggestive of subclinical heart failure,” the researchers concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Simon TG, Bamira DG, Chung RT, et al. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is associated with cardiac remodeling and dysfunction [published online July 26, 2017]. Obesity. Doi: 10.1002/oby.21879.