Risk of Stroke in Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cirrhosis Is an Independent Risk Factor for Mortality in Ischemic Stroke-A Nationwide Analysis

Background and Aims: Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of preventable cardiovascular mortality worldwide, with emerging evidence suggesting an association between liver cirrhosis and both stroke occurrence and severity. However, the specific impact of cirrhosis on stroke-related mortality remains incompletely understood. Elucidating this relationship is crucial for improving risk stratification and early recognition of high-risk individuals. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing ischemic stroke patients with cirrhosis to those without, using the National Inpatient Sample database for 2021. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare various outcomes. Results: A total of 536,199 discharges for ischemic stroke were included, among which 4464 had a documented history of liver cirrhosis. Discharges with cirrhosis were predominantly male (58.2%) with a mean age of 67 years, which was 2.17 years younger than those without cirrhosis. In-hospital mortality was 7% (95% CI: 5.5%-8.99%) among discharges with cirrhosis versus 4.2% (95% CI: 4.0%-4.33%) in those without.. After adjusting for cofounders in multivariate logistic regression, it was revealed that cirrhosis is associated with 69% higher mortality risk in stroke discharges (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.27-2.25, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study identifies liver cirrhosis as an independent risk factor for mortality among patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke. These findings underscore the necessity of incorporating proactive management strategies for liver cirrhosis into stroke care and prevention protocols, potentially improving outcomes in this high-risk population.

Association between elevated fibrosis-4 index of liver fibrosis and risk of hemorrhagic stroke

BACKGROUND

Cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Liver fibrosis, typically a silent condition, is antecedent to cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that elevated Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, indicating a high probability of liver fibrosis, is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

METHODS

We performed a cohort analysis of the prospective United Kingdom Biobank cohort study. Participants 40-69 years old were enrolled between 2007 and 2010 and had available follow-up data until March 1, 2018. We excluded participants with prevalent hemorrhagic stroke or thrombocytopenia. High probability of liver fibrosis was defined as having a value >2.67 of the validated FIB-4 index. The primary outcome was hemorrhagic stroke (intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage), defined based on hospitalization and death registry data. Secondary outcomes were intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage, separately. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of FIB-4 index >2.67 with hemorrhagic stroke while adjusting for potential confounders including hypertension, alcohol use, and antithrombotic use.

RESULTS

Among 452,994 participants (mean age, 57 years; 54% women), approximately 2% had FIB-4 index >2.67, and 1241 developed hemorrhagic stroke. In adjusted models, FIB-4 index >2.67 was associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6-2.6). Results were similar for intracerebral hemorrhage (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.5-2.7) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.5) individually.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated FIB-4 index was associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Association Between Liver Fibrosis and Risk of Incident Stroke and Mortality: A Large Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

There is a well-established relationship between liver conditions and cardiovascular diseases. However, uncertainty persists regarding the contribution of liver fibrosis to major stroke types including ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage at the population level.

METHODS

In this large prospective cohort study, participants without previous stroke or coronary heart disease at baseline from the UK Biobank were included. We identified participants at high probability of advanced liver fibrosis using the Fibrosis-4 index >2.67 or aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index ≥1.0. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were conducted to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for liver fibrosis with the incidence of major stroke types, stroke-related death, and all-cause death.

RESULTS

Among 379 953 participants (mean age, 56.2 [SD, 8.1] years; 44.6% men), 7396 (1.9%) had a Fibrosis-4 index >2.67 at baseline. During a median follow-up of 12.75 (interquartile range, 12.03-13.48) years, 7143 (1.9%) incident stroke cases were documented. Advanced liver fibrosis assessed by the Fibrosis-4 index was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke (HR, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.70-2.22]), intracerebral hemorrhage (HR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.63-2.81]), subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.27-2.84), stroke-related death (HR, 2.20 [95% CI, 1.73-2.80]), and all-cause death (HR, 2.59 [95% CI, 2.46-2.73]). Using the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index as an alternative score, liver fibrosis was correlated with magnified risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (HR, 3.76 [95% CI, 2.38-5.93]) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR, 3.05 [95% CI, 1.51-6.13]) compared with ischemic stroke (HR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.17-2.14]). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed nonlinear associations of the Fibrosis-4 index and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index with stroke incidence and all-cause death.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver fibrosis is associated with increased risk of incident stroke and death among people without previous stroke or cardiovascular events, with particularly greater risk of intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Noninvasive indices of liver fibrosis may serve as an easily accessible marker to detect individuals facing elevated risk of stroke and death in the primary prevention settings.

Mendelian randomization analyses reveal causal relationship between liver volume and stroke

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have suggested a potential association between abdominal viscera volume and increased risk of stroke. However, the causal relationship remains unclear. This study aims to utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the genetic causal relationship between them.

METHODS

We conducted MR analysis to study the causal effects of five abdominal viscera volumes on stroke. The genetic variations of abdominal viscera volume were obtained from the UK Biobank, and the summary data for stroke and ischemic stroke were acquired from the MEGASTROKE consortium. This study employed inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR Egger, and weighted median methods. IVW served as the primary MR analysis method, supplemented by other sensitivity analyses to validate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

We found that liver volume can causally increase the risk of stroke [odds ratio (OR): 1.13, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.25, P = 0.013] and ischemic stroke (OR: 1.14, 95 % CI: 1.03-1.26, P = 0.012). No causal relationships between other abdominal viscera volumes and stroke and ischemic stroke appeared to be present (P > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results.

CONCLUSION

Our research findings indicate a causal relationship between liver volume and stroke, highlighting the potential role of liver volume in the onset of stroke. However, further basic and clinical research is needed to delve into the specific mechanisms underlying the relationship between liver volume and stroke, and to implement interventions aimed at reducing the impact of liver volume on stroke risk.

Hemorrhagic Coagulation Disorders and Ischemic Stroke: How to Reconcile Both?

Coagulation and fibrinolytic system disorders are conditions in which the blood's ability to clot is impaired, resulting in an increased risk of thrombosis or bleeding. Although these disorders are the expression of two opposing tendencies, they can often be associated with or be a consequence of each other, contributing to making the prognosis of acute cerebrovascular events more difficult. It is important to recognize those conditions that are characterized by dual alterations in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems to reduce the prognostic impact of clinical conditions with difficult treatment and often unfortunate outcomes. Management of these individuals can be challenging, as clinicians must balance the need to prevent bleeding episodes with the potential risk of clot formation. Treatment decisions should be made on an individual basis, considering the specific bleeding disorder, its severity, and the patient's general medical condition. This review aims to deal with all those forms in which coagulation and fibrinolysis represent two sides of the same media in the correct management of patients with acute neurological syndrome. Precision medicine, personalized treatment, advanced anticoagulant strategies, and innovations in bleeding control represent future directions in the management of these complex pathologies in which stroke can be the evolution of two different acute events or be the first manifestation of an occult or unknown underlying pathology.

Risk of Bleeding in Liver Cirrhosis Receiving Direct Oral Anticoagulants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

 Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are effective for the management of thromboembolic disorders. However, bleeding remains a major concern in cirrhotic patients receiving DOACs.

METHODS

 PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The incidence of bleeding episodes in cirrhotic patients receiving DOACs was pooled. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to compare the incidence of bleeding episodes in cirrhotic patients who received DOACs versus those who received conventional anticoagulants and did not receive anticoagulants.

RESULTS

 Twenty-nine studies were included. All bleeding, major bleeding, fatal bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and intracranial hemorrhage episodes were observed in 310/2,469, 100/1,388, 2/611, 166/1,886, and 5/1,147 cirrhotic patients receiving DOACs, respectively. Their pooled incidences were 13, 6, 0, 8, and 0%, respectively. They became higher in subgroup analyses of studies with advanced age, a longer treatment duration, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh class C. Compared with conventional anticoagulants, DOACs were associated with lower incidences of all bleeding (OR = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52-0.98) and major bleeding (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.37-0.83) in cirrhotic patients, but not those of fatal bleeding (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.04-1.28), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.52-1.17), or intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.12-1.12). The incidences of all bleeding (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.22-4.79) and major bleeding (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.26-3.61) did not significantly differ between cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) who received DOACs and those who did not receive anticoagulants.

CONCLUSION

 DOACs carry a low risk of bleeding in liver cirrhosis. Age, treatment duration, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh class may be associated with bleeding in cirrhotic patients receiving DOACs. The risk of bleeding is not increased by DOACs in cirrhotic patients with PVT.

Management of Stroke in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease: A Practical Review

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a highly prevalent condition. There is burgeoning recognition that there are many people with subclinical liver disease that may nonetheless be clinically significant. CLD has a variety of systemic aberrations relevant to stroke, including thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, elevated liver enzymes, and altered drug metabolism. There is a growing body of literature on the intersection of CLD and stroke. Despite this, there have been few efforts to synthesize these data, and stroke guidelines provide scant guidance on this topic. To fill this gap, this multidisciplinary review provides a contemporary overview of CLD for the vascular neurologist while appraising data regarding the impact of CLD on stroke risk, mechanisms, and outcomes. Finally, the review addresses acute and chronic treatment considerations for patients with stroke-ischemic and hemorrhagic-and CLD.

Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Stroke

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are seen in over 50% of ischemic stroke survivors; the most common complications are dysphagia, constipation, and GI bleeding. The bidirectional relationship of the gut-brain axis and stroke has recently gained traction, wherein stroke contributes to gut dysbiosis (alterations in the normal host intestinal microbiome) and gut dysbiosis perpetuates poor functional neurologic outcomes in stroke. It is postulated that the propagation of proinflammatory cells and gut metabolites (including trimethylamine N-oxide and short-chain fatty acids) from the GI tract to the central nervous system play a central role in gut-brain axis dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the known GI complications in acute ischemic stroke, our current knowledge from experimental stroke models for gut-brain axis dysfunction in stroke, and emerging therapeutics that target the gut-brain axis.

Bilateral Arteriovenous Shunting Through Pial and Perforating Vessels With Multiple Strokes in a Patient With Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a condition characterized by chronic liver disease, intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunting, and increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient. This case report presents a 54-year-old male patient with a history of stroke, liver cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, and bladder cancer, who presented with worsening headaches and confusion over the course of five years. Digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) revealed multiple bilateral arteriovenous shunts, suggesting a shunting mechanism similar to that observed in HPS. We propose that this unique case could provide valuable insights into the parallels between the pathophysiology of HPS and diffuse arteriovenous shunting in the brain and the increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic events in both cases. Further studies are needed to establish a clearer understanding of this relationship and its implications for patients with chronic liver disease.

CNS-peripheral immune interactions in hemorrhagic stroke

Stroke is a sudden and rapidly progressing ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. When stroke damages the brain, the immune system becomes hyperactive, leading to systemic inflammatory response and immunomodulatory disorders, which could significantly impact brain damage, recovery, and prognosis of stroke. Emerging researches suggest that ischemic stroke-induced spleen contraction could activate a peripheral immune response, which may further aggravate brain injury. This review focuses on hemorrhagic strokes including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and discusses the central nervous system-peripheral immune interactions after hemorrhagic stroke induction. First, inflammatory progression after ICH and SAH is investigated. As a part of this review, we summarize the various kinds of inflammatory cell infiltration to aggravate brain injury after blood-brain barrier interruption induced by hemorrhagic stroke. Then, we explore hemorrhagic stroke-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and discuss the interactions of CNS and peripheral inflammatory response. In addition, potential targets related to inflammatory response for ICH and SAH are discussed in this review, which may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for hemorrhagic stroke.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and risk of intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the association between the steatosis severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and future intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used data from the Kailuan study. Participants without a history of stroke, myocardial infarction, cancer, other liver diseases or alcohol abuse were enrolled. NAFLD and the severity of liver steatosis were assessed by abdominal ultrasonography. We stratified the participants into different groups according to the severity changes in liver steatosis status across the first 4-year follow-up period. The outcome was the first occurrence of ICH during the next 6-year follow-up period. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI of ICH were estimated using Cox models adjusted for potential risk factors. A total of 49,906 participants were enrolled in this study. During a median of 6.79 years of follow-up, 193 incident ICH cases were identified. Compared with persistent nonfatty liver participants, the hazard ratios (HRs) for participants with persistent mild steatosis, persistent moderate steatosis, persistent severe steatosis, alleviating steatosis, and aggravating steatosis were 1.28 (95% CI, 0.75-2.18), 2.33 (95% CI, 1.24-4.38), 1.63 (95% CI, 0.22-12.11), 1.41 (95% CI, 0.91-2.18), and 1.37 (95% CI, 0.94-2.00), respectively, in the fully adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD with persistent moderate steatosis was significantly related to an increased risk of future ICH, independent of other conventional risk factors.

Trends, outcomes, and management of acute myocardial infarction in patients with chronic viral hepatitis

OBJECTIVES

There is a paucity of data on the management and outcomes of chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) patients [including chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC)] presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

We utilized the National Inpatient Sample database (2001-2019) and studied the management and outcomes of CVH patients with AMI and stratified them by subtypes of CVH. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of adverse outcomes in CVH groups were compared to no-CVH groups using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 18,794,686 AMI admissions, 84,147 (0.45%) had a CVH diagnosis. CVH patients had increased odds of adverse outcomes including in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.40, 95%CI 1.31-1.49, p < 0.05), respiratory failure (1.11, 95%CI 1.04-1.17, p < 0.001), vascular complications (1.09, 95%CI 1.04-1.15, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (1.36, 95%CI 1.30-1.42, p < 0.001), gastrointestinal bleeding (1.57, 95%CI 1.50-1.68, p < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (1.44, 95%CI 1.04-1.30, p < 0.001), sepsis (1.24, 95%CI 1.17-1.31, p < 0.001), and were less likely to undergo invasive management. On subgroup analysis, CHB had higher odds of adverse outcomes than the CHC group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CVH patients presenting with AMI are associated with worse clinical outcomes. CHB subgroup had worse outcomes compared to the CHC subgroup.

Risk and Outcome of Venous and Arterial Thrombosis in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Danish Nation-wide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cirrhosis affects hemostasis, but its effects across the spectrum of thromboses remain poorly understood. We examined risks and outcomes of venous and arterial thrombosis.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We used nation-wide Danish health care registries to identify outpatients with cirrhosis and a sex- and age-matched comparison cohort without cirrhosis from the general population. Patients with cirrhosis and comparators were followed until they had a venous thromboembolism (VTE), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or ischemic stroke (IS) or died. We computed absolute risks and HRs of thrombosis and compared outcomes after thrombosis. We included 5,854 patients with cirrhosis (median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, 9; interquartile range, 7-13), and their risk of any of the thrombotic events was 0.8% after 1 year and 6.3% after 10 years. They were more likely than the 23,870 matched comparators to have a VTE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.5-2.6) or IS (aHR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.3), but not AMI (aHR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9). Among patients with cirrhosis, decompensation increased the risk of AMI, but not the other thromboses. Following thrombosis, patients with cirrhosis had higher 90-day mortality than comparators (after VTE: 17% vs. 7%; after AMI: 27% vs. 5%; after IS: 10% vs. 7%) and were less likely to receive antithrombotic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cirrhosis had an increased risk of VTE and IS, but not AMI. Among patients with cirrhosis, decompensation increased the risk of AMI, exclusively. Mortality after thrombosis was higher in patients with cirrhosis than in other patients. These findings are relevant for decisions about antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with cirrhosis.

Trends, management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction in chronic liver disease

AIMS

There are limited data on the management and outcomes of chronic liver disease (CLD) patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), particularly according to the subtype of CLD.

METHODS

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2004-2015), we examined outcomes of AMI patients stratified by severity and sub-types of CLD. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of receipt of invasive management and adverse outcomes in CLD groups compared with no-CLD.

RESULTS

Of 7 024 723 AMI admissions, 54 283 (0.8%) had a CLD diagnosis. CLD patients were less likely to undergo coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (aOR 0.62, 95%CI 0.60-0.63 and 0.59, 95%CI 0.58-0.60, respectively), and had increased odds of adverse outcomes including major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (1.19, 95%CI 1.15-1.23), mortality (1.30, 95%CI 1.25-1.34) and major bleeding (1.74, 95%CI 1.67-1.81). In comparison to the non-severe CLD sub-groups, patients with all forms of severe CLD had the lower utilization of CA and PCI (P < .05). Among severe CLD patients, those with alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) had the lowest utilization of CA and PCI; patients with ALD and other CLD (OCLD) had more adverse outcomes than the viral hepatitis sub-group (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

CLD patients presenting with AMI are less likely to receive invasive management and are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Further differences are observed depending on the type as well as severity of CLD, with the worst management and clinical outcomes observed in those with severe ALD and OCLD.

Rupture Risk of Intracranial Aneurysm and Prediction of Hemorrhagic Stroke after Liver Transplant

Postoperative hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is a rare yet devastating complication after liver transplantation (LT). Unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) may contribute to HS; however, related data are limited. We investigated UIA prevalence and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and HS incidence post-LT. We identified risk factors for 1-year HS and constructed a prediction model. This study included 3544 patients who underwent LT from January 2008 to February 2019. Primary outcomes were incidence of SAH, HS, and mortality within 1-year post-LT. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis and Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed. The prevalence of UIAs was 4.63% (n = 164; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.95–5.39%). The 1-year SAH incidence was 0.68% (95% CI, 0.02–3.79%) in patients with UIA. SAH and HS incidence and mortality were not different between those with and without UIA before and after PSM. Cirrhosis severity, thrombocytopenia, inflammation, and history of SAH were identified as risk factors for 1-year HS. UIA presence was not a risk factor for SAH, HS, or mortality in cirrhotic patients post-LT. Given the fatal impact of HS, a simple scoring system was constructed to predict 1-year HS risk. These results enable clinical risk stratification of LT recipients with UIA and help assess perioperative HS risk before LT.

Impact of liver disease on oral anticoagulant prescription and major adverse events in patients with atrial fibrillation: analysis from a population-based cohort study

AIMS 

Data on the impact of liver disease (LD) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and the role of oral anticoagulant (OAC) drugs for stroke prevention are limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS 

A retrospective observational population-based cohort study on the administrative health databases of Lombardy region Italy. All AF patients ≥40 years admitted to hospital from 2000 to 2018 were considered. Atrial fibrillation and LD diagnosis were established using ICD9-CM codes. Use of OAC was determined with Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical codes. Primary study outcomes were stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause death. Among 393 507 AF patients, 16 168 (4.1%) had concomitant LD. Liver disease AF patients were significantly less treated with OAC. Concomitant LD was associated with an increased risk in all the study outcomes [hazard ratio (HR): 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.25 for stroke; HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.47-1.66 for major bleeding; HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.39-1.44 for all-cause death]. Use of OAC in patients with AF and LD resulted in a reduction in stroke (HR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.92), major bleeding (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.74-0.99), and all-cause death (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.73-0.80), with similar results according to subgroups. A net clinical benefit (NCB) analysis suggested a positive benefit/risk ratio in using OAC in AF patients with LD (NCB: 0.408, 95% CI: 0.375-0.472).

CONCLUSION

In AF patients, concomitant LD carries a significantly higher risk for all clinical outcomes. Use of OAC in AF patients with LD was associated with a significant favourable benefit/risk ratio, even in high-risk patient subgroups.

Development of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke after acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Cardiovascular disease, mainly including coronary artery disease and stroke, is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease include smoking, alcohol abuse, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and psychosocial stress. Herein, we reported one patient who developed myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke after acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and discussed the potential association between cardiovascular disease and acuter upper gastrointestinal bleeding.