Relation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and carotid artery intimal media thickness as a surrogate for atherosclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by hepatic steatosis without heavy alcohol consumption or other chronic conditions, encompasses a spectrum from non-alcoholic fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis leading to cirrhosis. This analysis aimed to investigate the correlation between NAFLD and carotid intimal media thickness (C-IMT), a non-invasive surrogate for atherosclerosis. METHODOLOGY: Database searches, including PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library, yielded studies up to April 2023. Included were studies exploring the NAFLD-C-IMT relationship in populations aged >18 years. Exclusions comprised non-English papers, those involving animals or pediatric populations and studies lacking control groups. RESULTS: No statistical significance was noted between mild and moderate NAFLD compared to the control group regarding C-IMT [95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.03, 0.12] and (95% CI: -0.03, 0.21), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference only in the Severe NAFLD group ( P value 0.03). NAFLD with and without metabolic syndrome showed statistically significant differences compared to control regarding C-IMT (95% CI: 0.04, 0.12) and (95% CI: 0.01, 0.07), respectively. Fifty-nine studies were mentioned without classification of NAFLD severity and revealed a high statistically significant difference between NAFLD and controls regarding C-IMT with (95% CI: 0.09, 0.12, P < 0.00001). Stratified analysis according to sex was done in two studies and revealed statistical differences between NAFLD and control regarding C-IMT in both groups. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis underscores a significant association between NAFLD and increased C-IMT, emphasizing the importance of assessing C-IMT in NAFLD patients to identify cardiovascular risk and tailor therapeutic interventions for improved patient outcomes.

Liver Segment Disposition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Predicts Microvascular Invasion.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality. Findings of microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with HCC have emerged as an important prognostic factor for poor survival after tumor resection. Aim: This study evaluated the relation between MVI and HCC within various anatomical Couinaud's segments of the liver. Method: A multicenter retrospective review of HCC records was conducted from 2012 to 2017. HCC cases were identified using ICD-9 and 10 codes 155, C22.0, and C22.8. HCC patients who underwent liver transplants were included in this study. Liver segment of the location of HCC was obtained from radiographic records, and MVI information was obtained from pathology reports. Segmental distributions of HCC in MVI versus non-MVI groups were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. p value was set at <0.05. Results: We analyzed 120 HCC patients who underwent liver transplantation. The mean age of our cohort was 57 years, and the most common etiology of liver disease was hepatitis C at 58.3%. The median HCC size was 3.1 cm, and MVI was present in 23.3% of the explanted specimens. MVI was 2 to 3 times significantly higher in patients with HCC affecting segments 2 and 3 and segments 4b and 5 (p = 0.01). Moreover, median survival was significantly lower in patients with MVI versus those without MVI (50 vs. 137 months, p < 0.05). Conclusion: MVI was significantly higher in HCC tumors located in liver segments 2 and 3 and 4b and 5, and survival was lower in patients with MVI compared with those without.

Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency: A Rare Cause of Hepatomegaly.

Multiple Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) is an autosomal recessive disorder that can manifest with hepatic and muscular dysfunction. MADD can be fatal in neonates; however, late-onset MADD has a milder course and often becomes symptomatic during adulthood. A 20-year-old patient presented to the hepatology clinic with elevated liver enzymes and hepatomegaly. Several investigations including a liver biopsy were unremarkable. Subsequently, the patient developed rhabdomyolysis and nonketotic hypoglycemia raising suspicion for mitochondrial disorders. Plasma acylcarnitine levels performed showed elevated C4-C18:2 consistent with MADD. Although the patient denied a complete genetic evaluation, the patient had complete resolution of symptoms after riboflavin and diet modification.

Atrial Septal Defect with Eisenmenger Syndrome: A Rare Presentation.

Atrial septal defects (ASDs) are common congenital heart defects (CHD). The clinical course in patients without closure of the ASD is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in advanced age. A small percentage of patients may develop pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) due to left to right shunting that impacts morbidity and mortality. Advances in prenatal screening and fetal echocardiography have allowed timely interventions. Nonetheless, some patients still may be diagnosed with ASD in adulthood as an incidental finding or presenting with clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath from right heart failure. We report a case of an adult female presenting with shortness of breath due to ASD causing PAH with Eisenmenger physiology.