The Relationship Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness, Carotid Intima Media Thickness, and Aortic Propagation Velocity

Objective: Cardiovascular disease is prevalent among individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and aortic propagation velocity (APV) are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to determine whether NAFLD is associated with EAT, CIMT, and APV. Methods: Individuals aged ≥18 and <65 years who presented for routine follow-up were included. The study population comprised 75 healthy controls (40 females, 35 males) and 141 patients with NAFLD (68 females, 73 males). Epicardial adipose tissue thickness, carotid intima-media thickness, and aortic propagation velocity were evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography in patients who were diagnosed with hepatosteatosis by ultrasound during routine check-ups at the internal medicine clinic. Results: NAFLD was positively associated with epicardial adipose tissue thickness and carotid intima–media thickness, and negatively associated with aortic propagation velocity. Patients with NAFLD had significantly higher EAT and CIMT values and lower APV values than controls. Logistic regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI) and EAT as independent predictors of hepatosteatosis. Each unit increase in BMI was associated with a 1.29-fold increase in the risk of hepatosteatosis, whereas each unit increase in EAT was associated with a 5.49-fold increase. Conclusion: Given the established associations of CIMT, APV, and EAT with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, assessment of patients with NAFLD using these noninvasive parameters may help identify subclinical cardiovascular risk.