Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Liver fibrosis and sudden cardiac arrest: A prospective cohort study of 452,454 individuals
- prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Liver fibrosis, as assessed by the FIB-4 index, is an independent and graded predictor of SCA risk in the general population. This readily available biomarker could enhance SCA risk stratification and primary prevention strategies.
Study context
- Population
- Participants from the United Kingdom Biobankparticipants from the United Kingdom Biobank, median age 58 years, 45.8% male
- Participants
- 452,454 participants
- Exposure
- Liver fibrosis and incident sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)
- Outcome
- Incident SCA
- Follow-up
- Median 13.8 years
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs lowAdjusted hazard ratio (95% CI)
indeterminate
1.26(1.15–1.39)
high
1.69(1.36–2.12)
- incident SCA cases
- 2889
- Higher cumulative incidence of SCA with higher FIB-4 scores
- log-rank P < .001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | adjusted HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dose-response, continuous FIB-4 index and SCA risk · 20% higher SCA risk | 1.20 (1.15–1.27) | |
| 0.512Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Dose-response, continuous FIB-4 index and SCA risk
- nonlinear yet positive association
Original publication
Liver fibrosis and sudden cardiac arrest: A prospective cohort study of 452,454 individuals. Heart Rhythm. Published 25 January 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.01.029
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it