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A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology has revealed that coronary artery disease (CAD) is common among patients with cirrhosis. However, liver cirrhosis itself does not appear to significantly increase the risk of developing CAD, according to the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Chunru Gu and colleagues from the Teaching Hospital of the China Medical University in Shenyang.
The study, which evaluated data from 51 studies, examined the incidence and prevalence of CAD in individuals with and without liver cirrhosis. The pooled incidences of CAD, acute coronary syndromes, and myocardial infarction (MI) were 2.28%, 2.02%, and 1.80%, respectively. Despite these figures, no significant association was found between liver cirrhosis and the incidence of CAD or MI.
Further, the pooled prevalence rates of CAD, acute coronary syndromes, and MI were found to be 18.87%, 12.54%, and 6.12%, respectively. Again, no significant correlation was established between cirrhosis and these conditions.
The study did, however, identify several factors significantly associated with an increased risk of CAD in patients with cirrhosis. These included nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatitis C virus infection, advanced age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking history, and a family history of CAD.
The authors suggest that while cirrhosis alone may not directly contribute to an increased CAD risk, it is essential to consider other contributing factors when evaluating these patients. They recommend that large-scale prospective studies be conducted to further explore effective strategies for screening and preventing CAD in high-risk populations, including those with liver cirrhosis.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing patients with cirrhosis, taking into account their cardiovascular health alongside liver function.
For more detailed insights, refer to the original study by Chunru Gu et al., Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology (2024). DOI: 10.14218/JCTH.2024.00226.
