Abstract
Introduction: Hepatic fat a measure of visceral adiposity is evolving as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Arterial stiffness (AS) is one of the markers of subclinical CVD, often measured by the augmentation index (AIx). In this study we evaluated if individuals with higher burden of intra-hepatic adiposity are at higher risk of arterial stiffness among a high metabolic risk population free of known CVD. Methodology: The Baptist Employee Healthy Heart Study (BEHHS) is an ongoing lifestyle intervention study examining the effects of web-based interventions on reducing CVD risk in individuals with metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes mellitus. Participants had their brachial arterial AIx, assessed using the EndoPAT 2000 device (Itamar Medical, Israel). Participants older than 35 years old had CT scans done for coronary calcium. Hepatic and splenic attenuation values were measured using regions of interest (ROI) greater than 100 mm2 in area. A Liver: spleen attenuation ratio (LSR) Results: Results: The population consisted of 141 participants, 74% women, 49% Hispanic, with a mean age of 52 ± 9 years. Overall 71 (50%) of the participants had significant intra-hepatic fat; LSR Conclusion: In this study of high risk individuals, the presence of significant intra-hepatic fat was associated with arterial stiffness independent of the cardiometabolic risks. Although further studies are necessary to understand the relationship, the above finding has implication for clinical practice and population health.