title: Coronary artery disease and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is associated with cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to determine the role of fatty liver in predicting coronary artery disease and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary angiogram.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective cohort study carried out in a University hospital. Consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiogram had ultrasound screening for fatty liver. Significant cardiovascular disease was defined as ≥50% stenosis in at least one coronary artery. The primary outcome was a composite end point comprising cardiovascular deaths, non-fatal myocardial infarction and the need for further coronary intervention during prospective follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 612 recruited patients, 356 (58.2%) had fatty liver by ultrasonography, 318 (52.0%) had elevated serum alanine aminotransferase and 465 (76.0%) had significant coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease occurred in 84.6% of patients with fatty liver and 64.1% of those without fatty liver (p<0.001). After adjusting for demographic and metabolic factors, fatty liver (adjusted OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.46 to 3.64) and alanine aminotransferase level (adjusted OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02) remained independently associated with coronary artery disease. At a mean follow-up of 87±22 weeks, 30 (10.0%) patients with fatty liver and 18 (11.0%) patients without fatty liver reached the composite clinical end point (p=0.79).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with clinical indications for coronary angiogram, fatty liver is associated with coronary artery disease independently of other metabolic factors. However, fatty liver cannot predict cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with established coronary artery disease.
authors: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
authors: Vincent Wai-Sun
authors: VW
authors: Wong
authors: Grace Lai-Hung
authors: GL
authors: Wong
authors: Gabriel Wai-Kwok
authors: GW
authors: Yip
authors: Angeline Oi-Shan
authors: AO
authors: Lo
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Limquiaco
authors: Winnie Chiu-Wing
authors: WC
authors: Chu
authors: Angel Mei-Ling
authors: AM
authors: Chim
authors: Cheuk-Man
authors: CM
authors: Yu
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Yu
authors: Francis Ka-Leung
authors: FK
authors: Chan
authors: Joseph Jao-Yiu
authors: JJ
authors: Sung
authors: Henry Lik-Yuen
authors: HL
authors: Chan