Abnormal aortic elasticity in patients with liver steatosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be associated with insulin resistance. We aimed to evaluate elastic properties of aorta in patients with NAFLD.

Ninety-two patients with NAFLD and 47 healthy subjects were performed ultrasonographic and echocardiographic examination. Aortic stiffness index (ASI), aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic strain (AS) were compared between healthy subjects and patients and also among grade I and II liver steatosis. Statistical analysis was performed by Independent-Samples t-test, Pearson's correlation test using SPSS 11.0.

ASI was significantly increased whereas AS and AD were reduced (p>0.05) in patients compared to normal ones. ASI was significantly increased while AD and AS slightly increased in patients with grade II liver steatosis compare to grade I. SBP and DBP, cholesterol levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG) were also increased and doppler flow parameters of mitral inflow were abnormally changed in those patients. ASI was positively correlated with FBG, ALT and ALP levels, LDL cholesterol, heart rate and deceleration time of mitral E wave.

Elastic properties of aorta were abnormally changed in patients with NAFLD. Multiple hemodynamic abnormalities probably associated with insulin resistance may be accountable for abnormal elastic properties of aorta.