Metabolic Dysfunction Associated-Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and Cardiovascular Risk: Embrace All Facets of the Disease

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2025 Jan 13;27(1):19. doi: 10.1007/s11886-024-02181-9.

Abstract

Purpose of review: In recent years, the terms "metabolic associated fatty liver disease-MAFLD" and "metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-MASLD" were introduced to improve the encapsulation of metabolic dysregulation in this patient population, as well as to avoid the negative/stigmatizing terms "non-alcoholic" and "fatty".

Recent findings: There is evidence suggesting links between MASLD and coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), although the data for HF, AF, stroke and PAD are scarcer. Physicians should consider the associations between MASLD and CV diseases in their daily practice. Based on this knowledge and current guidelines, they should also assess and manage CV risk/co-morbidities in such patients. It is important to further investigate the impact of MASLD on CV outcomes, a knowledge that will help to elucidate the clinical implications of this "novel" liver entity.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Coronary heart disease; Metabolic associated fatty liver disease; Metabolic associated steatotic liver disease; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Stroke.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases*
  • Fatty Liver / complications
  • Fatty Liver / physiopathology
  • Heart Disease Risk Factors
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Syndrome / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / complications
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / physiopathology