Right ventricular function and its relationship with grade of hepatosteatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This study was designed to assess right ventricular systolic and diastolic function and its relationship with grade of hepatosteatosis (HS) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography.

NAFLD was diagnosed in 32 individuals (15 males, 17 females; 59% were grade I HS, 41% grade II-III HS) by means of ultrasonography. Twenty-two individuals, whose ultrasonography data did not show HS, comprised the control group (11 males, 11 females) and were included in the study. Right ventricular systolic and diastolic function and their relationship with grade of HS were assessed by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Additionally, right ventricular global function was assessed by myocardial performance index (MPI).

When compared by conventional echocardiographic parameters, there were no significant differences between the two groups. With tissue Doppler parameters, the tricuspid annulus peak early diastolic velocity and ratio of early-to-late diastolic velocity were lower in the patients than in the controls (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, respectively). The isovolumetric relaxation time and MPI were significantly higher (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) in the patient group. HS grade was positively correlated with right ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time and MPI index (r = 0.295, p = 0.03, r = 0.641, p < 0.001, respectively).

These results show that right ventricular diastolic dysfunction (RVDD) in patients with NAFLD and degree of HS was associated with RVDD.