Background: Obesity has been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The association between fat distribution and subclinical myocardial remodeling and dysfunction among the obese population remains unclear.
Methods: A total of 114 participants were included in this study. Liver and pancreas were assessed using MRI-proton density fat fraction (PDFF) technology, and subclinical myocardial fibrosis were evaluated using cardiac magnetic resonance derived extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and native T2 values. Systolic and diastolic dysfunction was defined using values of global longitudinal peak systolic (GLS) and early diastolic longitudinal strain rates.
Results: Patients with NAFLD, defined as liver fat content ≥6%, had a higher prevalence of metabolic disorders, myocardial fibrosis and worse absolute GLS compared to those without NAFLD. Among multiple indicators of visceral fat, liver fat content (LFC) was significantly correlated with epicardial adipose tissue, and subclinical myocardial remodeling markers. This association remained significant after further adjustment for age, sex, waist, drugs and other potential HF risk factors. Multivariable linear regression and moderator analyses revealed that BMI might positively moderate the effect between liver fat and fibrosis indicators, for increased
LFC with higher ECV in highest tertile BMI group (β= 0.130 per SD, p=0.008), while lower ECV in lowest tertile group (β=-0.110 per SD), after adjusting for potential confounders.
Conclusion: Ectopic fat accumulation in liver may be significant risk factor to predict the occurrence and future development of myocardial fibrosis in obese adults.
X. Wan: None. J. Yue: None. H. Zhao: None. S. He: None. Y. Qi: None. M. Yang: None. J. Che: None. Q. Lu: None. M. Jiang: None. J. Bu: None. J. Ma: None.
