This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the association between liver fat fraction measured by ultrasound-derived fat fraction (UDFF) and cardiac functional parameters assessed by 2D and 4D HeartAI in adult patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Participants will undergo baseline assessment and repeat evaluations at 6, 12, and 36 months. The study will assess the diagnostic performance of integrated UDFF-HeartAI analysis for detecting subclinical cardiac abnormalities and identify predictors of cardiovascular risk progression and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with MASLD.
Adults aged 18 to 75 years
Diagnosis of MASLD based on imaging or biopsy
Presence of at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, such as BMI ≥25 kg/m², type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia
No contraindication to ultrasound imaging
Significant alcohol consumption: >20 g/day for women or >30 g/day for men Secondary causes of hepatic steatosis, such as viral hepatitis or autoimmune liver disease
Known advanced heart failure (New York Heart Association class III-IV)
Recent cardiovascular event within 6 months
Pregnancy
First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University
Lead sponsor