Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and ECG changes in Egyptian Patients

Abstract

Background interactions between the heart and the liver have been described. The presence and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was found to be associated with increased QTc interval and subclinical cardiac abnormalities. Aim of the work is to evaluate the electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic changes in patients with NAFLD and its correlation with disease severity. Patients and Methods this study was conducted on 50 NAFLD patients and 50 controls. Clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic examinations were done for all included subjects together with liver biopsies. ECG and ECHO were also performed. Results longer corrected QT was found in the NAFLD group in comparison to controls (406.6±26.8 msec and 380.0±24.5 msec respectively). Significant correlation between QTc and liver size, grade of steatosis and NAFLD activity score (NAS) was found. 16% and 8% of NAFLD patients had diastolic and valvular dysfunctions respectively. Conclusion NAFLD is associated with significant QTc prolongation and structural heart changes with significant correlation between QTc and disease severity.