AAC is a strong and independent predictor of CAC. The discriminative performance of AAC is high in detecting patients with low- and high-risk CAC scores.
We investigated the relationship between pancreatic fat accumulation and markers of atherosclerosis among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Patients with NAFLD have been reported to be at an increased risk of vascular events. We grouped 183 patients in whom we detected and graded hepatosteatosis (HS) on transabdominal ultrasonography into 2 groups based on the presence/absence of pancreatic fat. There were 85 participants (50 female; mean age: 53.6 ± 9.7 years) who were nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) positive and 98 participants (56 female; mean age: 51.4 ± 9.3 years) who were NAFPD negative. Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) was significantly greater in the group where HS was accompanied by NAFPD (0.51 [0.40–0.62] vs 0.45 [0.35–0.55] mm; P < .001). Multivariable analyses showed that the independent predictors of increased cIMT were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.108; 95% CI: 1.059–1.158, P = .001), hypertension (OR: 2.244; 95% CI: 1.099–4.579, P = .026), and the presence of NAFPD (OR: 3.078; CI 95% CI: 1.531–6.190, P = .0002). In the present study we demonstrated that, in patients with NAFLD, pancreatic fat accumulation was significantly associated with cIMT, a marker of early atherosclerosis. NAFPD may increase the risk of vascular events associated with NAFLD.
Introduction
Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), a direct marker of atherosclerosis, has emerged as a promising means for cardiovascular risk evaluation. Presystolic wave (PSW) is commonly detected by the Doppler interrogation of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). It is thought to be a result of a stiff left ventricle and impaired LV compliance. Herein, we aimed to investigate a possible association between carotid intima media thickness, an atherosclerotic marker, and PSW.
Method
We prospectively enrolled 282 patients divided into two groups based on the presence of PSW: 221 (89F; mean age: 49.3 ± 11.5 years) had PSW on Doppler examination while 61 patients (32F; mean age: 46.4 ± 10.3 years) did not. Both groups were compared with respect to demographic, clinical properties, and CIMT.
Results
Both groups had comparable age, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, and family history for coronary heart disease. PSW‐positive group had significantly higher CIMT (PSW‐positive: 0.59 ± 0.22 mm vs PSW‐negative: 0.42 ± 0.11 mm; P < 0.001) than PSW‐negative group. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictors of increased CIMT were age (95% CI; 1.044–1.101, P < 0.001), dyslipidemia (95% CI; 0.147–0.664, P = 0.002), and the presence of PSW (95% CI; 2.168–7.836, P < 0.001).Correlation analysis showed that PSW velocity is correlated with increased CIMT in PSW‐positive group (r: 0.418, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Assessment of PSW on TTE is easy and feasible method. Presence of PSW and increased PSW velocity on TTE might provide information that we should be careful in terms of subclinical atherosclerosis.
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