A NEW study has revealed a significant link between liver fibrosis and an increased risk of heart failure in the general population. The research, presented at the European association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) International Congress 2024, was based on data from the UK Biobank (UKBB), and aimed to explore how liver fibrosis, identified through non-invasive tests (NITs), correlates with heart failure incidents, considering genetic factors.
Liver disease is known to heighten the risk of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as ischaemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure. However, the connection between liver fibrosis and heart failure had not been well-understood until now.
The study found that serum markers indicating advanced liver fibrosis are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization or death due to heart failure. Notably, this risk remained significant despite the presence of genetic polymorphisms known to exacerbate liver disease but protect against CVD.
Researchers utilized the UK Biobank, a cohort of volunteers aged 40-69 years, recruited between 2006 and 2010. Advanced fibrosis was identified using FIB-4 scores over 2.67, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Fibrosis Score (NFS) scores above 0.676. Heart failure incidents were tracked as primary/secondary causes of death. The study employed univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to analyse the data, also examining the interaction between NITs and genetic variants.
The findings suggest that pathological mechanisms beyond traditional CVD factors drive the association between liver fibrosis and heart failure. These results emphasize the need for comprehensive multimorbidity assessments and aggressive management of cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with hepatic fibrosis.
The team highlighted the importance of integrating liver disease management with cardiovascular care. “These data provide a compelling rationale for multimorbidity assessment and aggressive cardiovascular risk factor management to prevent heart failure in people with hepatic fibrosis determined via NITs,” she stated.
This study underscores the critical need for proactive treatment strategies to mitigate heart failure risks in patients with liver fibrosis, regardless of genetic predispositions.
Reference
Hydes T et al. Liver Fibrosis assessed via non- invasive tests is associated with incident heart failure in a general population cohort: UKBB. Poster 277. EASL Annual Congress, 5-8 Jun 2024.
