Clinical and pathologic risk factors for atherosclerosis in cirrhosis: A comparison between NASH-related cirrhosis and cirrhosis due to other aetiologies

Background/Aims The precise prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis in NASH-related cirrhosis is unknown. The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the prevalence of major risk factors for atherosclerosis between subjects who underwent liver transplantation for NASH-related cirrhosis and those with cirrhosis of other aetiologies and (2) to compare pathologic changes of atherosclerosis within the explants hepatic hilar arteries between the groups. Methods Sixty subjects with NASH-related cirrhosis and 60 subjects with cirrhosis of other aetiologies were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic and clinical characteristics related to atherosclerosis were analyzed and compared. The hepatic hilar arteries of the explanted livers were examined for pathologic changes. Results The prevalence of all coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors and the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in NASH-related cirrhosis group compared to cirrhosis of other aetiologies. The proportion of patients with a diagnosis of CAD was also significantly higher in the NASH-related cirrhosis group (21.6% vs. 5%, p = 0.005). Pathological examination of hilar arteries showed possible atherosclerotic changes in only 4 cases (3 NASH-related cirrhosis; 1 HCV). Conclusions Major risk factors for atherosclerosis are significantly more prevalent in subjects with NASH-related cirrhosis than in subjects with cirrhosis of other aetiologies and are predictive of an increased prevalence of CAD. This study suggests that NASH-related cirrhosis is not protective against atherosclerosis.