Diagnosis of fatty liver by computed tomography coronary artery calcium score

Echocardiography. 2017 Jun;34(6):937-938. doi: 10.1111/echo.13545. Epub 2017 May 11.

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may range from simple steatosis to fibrosis and cirrhosis. It is associated with the development of coronary artery calcification and appears to be an independent predictor of future adverse cardiovascular events. As the presence of a fatty liver appears to portray an independent increased risk, it may be beneficial to note this on coronary artery calcium scoring reports. Determination of fatty liver is relatively easy to perform. We discuss the method used by the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study for determination of fatty liver from CT coronary artery calcium scoring acquisitions, which may be implemented in clinical analysis.

Keywords: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis; fatty liver.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Computed Tomography Angiography / methods*
  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / complications*
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / diagnosis*
  • Vascular Calcification / complications
  • Vascular Calcification / diagnostic imaging*