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Coronary artery disease in patients with liver cirrhosis

Evangelos Kalaitzakis1, Annika Rosengren, Tomas Skommevik

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. evangelos.kalaitzakis@vgregion.se

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|February 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is more common in liver cirrhosis patients than the general population. Older age and alcoholic cirrhosis are key risk factors in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hepatology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Previous studies suggested a low prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in liver cirrhosis patients, primarily focusing on hepatitis C etiology.
  • This study investigates CAD prevalence and predictive factors in a diverse cohort of liver cirrhosis patients compared to the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with liver cirrhosis of various etiologies.
  • To identify predictive factors for CAD in liver cirrhosis patients.
  • To compare CAD prevalence between liver cirrhosis patients and a control group from the general population.

Main Methods:

  • 127 liver cirrhosis patients were assessed for CAD history and cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels.
  • Nutritional status was evaluated using anthropometry and recent weight change.
  • A control group of 203 individuals from the general population with similar demographics and smoking habits was included for comparison.

Main Results:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) was more prevalent in liver cirrhosis patients (20%) compared to controls (12%).
  • Cirrhotic patients exhibited lower mean arterial blood pressure and serum cholesterol but a higher prevalence of diabetes.
  • In regression analysis, diabetes was independently associated with CAD, while liver cirrhosis itself was not a significant predictor. In the cirrhosis group, older age and alcoholic etiology were independently related to CAD.

Conclusions:

  • Liver cirrhosis does not appear to offer protection against coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • In patients with liver cirrhosis, older age and alcoholic etiology are significant independent predictors of CAD.
  • Diabetes is a key independent risk factor for CAD in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Abstract

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