The Influence of Non-Alc oholic Fatty Liver Disease on Indicators of Arterial Stiffness and Risk of Cardiovascular Complications in Patients with Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Statsenko M. E. , Streltsova A. M. , Turovets M. I. 
Published: July 2020

Aim. To determine the value of concomitant non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with arterial hypertension in the progression of rigidity of the main arteries and in increase of risk of cardiovascular complications.

Material and methods. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted. Group 1 (n=50, 35(70%) women, average age 57,4±6,9 years) included patients with arterial hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, group 2 (n=50, 40(80%) women, average age 56,5±7,0 years) included patients with arterial hypertension only. The groups were comparable in the main clinical and demographic indicators (p>0,05). A comparative analysis of pulse wave velocity, central aortic pressure, vascular age and a 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular complications in both groups was performed.

Results. There is a statistically larger number of patients with metabolic index>7,0 (58,0% vs 28,0%, p=0,0019). It was also established that systolic (121,9±10,9 mm Hg vs 115,9±8,9 mm Hg) and diastolic (82,5±9,3 mm Hg vs 77,4±8,9 mm Hg) aortic pressure, as well as the augmentation index (26,5±8,5% vs 18,6±4,2%), were significantly higher in patients with arterial hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than in patients with isolated arterial hypertension. In the 1st group, a statistically significant increased pulse wave velocity was found both in muscular (12,0±3,1 m/s vs 10,6±1,8 m/s) and elastic (10,4±2,8 m/s vs 9,1±1,7 m/s) vessels, which indicates an increase in arterial stiffness. In addition, there was an increase in post-occlusal pulse wave velocity in this category of patients (11,0±3,3 m/s vs 9,4±1,9 m/s, p=0,0037). A significant increase in vascular age in relation to the passport age (60,4 [56,0:68,0] years vs 58,0 [53,0:60,0] years) and an increase in the 10-year fatal risk was detected (2,15 [1,42: 4,63] and 1,05 [0,52: 2,82] %, p = 0,0043 ) were also revealed in patients with arterial hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease compared to patients with isolated arterial hypertension. Significantly more patients with a high (13 (26,0%) vs 5 (10,0%), p = 0,0332) total cardiovascular risk were observed in group 1 than in group 2.

Conclusions. Arterial stiffness was significantly higher in patients with arterial hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than in patients with isolated arterial hypertension, which is confirmed by a statistically significant increase in pulse wave velocity and central aortic pressure. Comorbid patients have pronounced endothelial dysfunction, which is confirmed by a significant increase in the post-occlusion rate of the pulse wave. An increase in vascular age in relation to the passport age indicates earlier aging of blood vessels in the 1st group compared with the 2nd group. Patients in the main group have a higher incidence of a high 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular events compared with patients in the control group.