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Japanese Journal of Radiology
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology 8/2021

01-08-2021 | Computed Tomography | Original Article

The correlation between hepatic fat fraction evaluated by dual-energy computed tomography and high-risk coronary plaques in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Authors: Rui Zhan, Rongxing Qi, Sheng Huang, Yang Lu, Xiaoyu Wang, Jiashen Jiang, Xiwu Ruan, Anyi Song

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 8/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the relationship between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) evaluated by a hepatic fat fraction (HFF) using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and high-risk coronary plaques (HRP) in NAFLD patients.

Methods

We conducted a matched case–control study involving 172 NAFLD individuals recruited from August 2019 to September 2020. They underwent dual-energy coronary computed tomographic angiography and were classified as no-plaque, HRP negative and HRP positive groups. HFF values were measured using multimaterial decomposition algorithm of DECT, and the differences among three groups were compared. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent correlation between HFF and HRP. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the correlations between HFF and multiple variables.

Results

HRP positive group (15.3%) had higher HFF values than no-plaque (6.9%) and HRP negative groups (8.9%) (P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, the results indicated that HFF was an independent risk factor for HRP (OR 1.93, P < 0.001). Additionally, HFF significantly correlated with coronary artery calcium score, hepatic CT attenuation, epicardial and pericoronary adipose tissue volume, and CT attenuation (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

As a new imaging marker for the quantification of liver fat, HFF was independently associated with HRP.
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Metadata
Title
The correlation between hepatic fat fraction evaluated by dual-energy computed tomography and high-risk coronary plaques in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors
Rui Zhan
Rongxing Qi
Sheng Huang
Yang Lu
Xiaoyu Wang
Jiashen Jiang
Xiwu Ruan
Anyi Song
Publication date
01-08-2021
Publisher
Springer Singapore
Published in
Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-021-01113-9

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