Stefan Puchner MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Michael Tse-Yin Lu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ting Liu MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Amit Pursnani MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Brian Burns Ghoshhajra MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Quynh Truong MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research Grant, St. Jude Medical, Inc

Thomas Mayrhofer, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stephen Wiviott, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jerome Fleg, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Udo Hoffmann MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maros Ferencik MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with the presence of advanced high-risk coronary atherosclerotic plaque as assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

This study was approved by the local ethics committee; informed consent was obtained. Patients randomized to the CCTA arm of the ROMICAT II trial who had both a noncontrast ct to assess calcium score and a contrast-enhanced CCTA were included. Readers assessed CCTA for the presence of atherosclerotic plaque, significant stenosis (≥50%) and high-risk plaque features (positive remodeling, low HU plaque, napkin-ring sign, spotty calcium). NAFLD was defined by hepatic steatosis on on contrast CT without evidence of clinical liver disease, liver cirrhosis and alcohol abuse. To determine the association between high-risk plaque features and NAFLD, we performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses, with high-risk plaque as a dependent variable and NAFLD, traditional risk factors and extent of coronary atherosclerosis as independent variables.

Overall, 182 (40.9%) of 445 patients with both contrast enhanced and non-contrast CCTA scans had CT evidence of NAFLD. High-risk plaque features were more frequent in NAFLD than in non-NAFLD patients (59.3 vs. 19.0%, p<0.001). The association between NAFLD and high-risk plaque (odds ratio 2.21, 95% CI 1.26-3.87) persisted after adjusting for the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis and traditional risk factors.

NAFLD is associated with advanced high-risk coronary plaque independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.

Patients with NAFLD are not only more prone to develop CAD, but they are specifically more likely to develop high-risk coronary plaques.

Puchner, S, Lu, M, Liu, T, Pursnani, A, Ghoshhajra, B, Truong, Q, Mayrhofer, T, Wiviott, S, Fleg, J, Hoffmann, U, Ferencik, M, High-risk Coronary Plaque Detected by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Is Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Independent of Coronary Stenosis and Plaque Burden: Results from the ROMICAT II Trial.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14010885.html