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Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with cardiomyopathy

Vijaya Boyella1, Ikenna Onyebueke, Najabh Farraj

  • 1Kings County Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA.

Annals of Hepatology
|June 9, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study found chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is not prevalent in patients with reduced ejection fraction cardiomyopathy. However, the single chronic HCV case had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, suggesting a potential link needing further research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) are recognized.
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy is a serious cardiac condition affecting ejection fraction.
  • The potential association between HCV and cardiomyopathy requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between chronic hepatitis C infection and dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with reduced cardiac ejection fraction.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving sixty-three patients with an ejection fraction <40% determined by echocardiogram.
  • Serological testing for hepatitis C virus antibodies and RNA was performed.
  • Patients were categorized based on cardiomyopathy type: ischemic vs. non-ischemic.

Main Results:

  • Chronic hepatitis C was not prevalent in the study group (2.4% prevalence).
  • One patient (4.8%) with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy had chronic HCV.
  • One patient (4.5%) with ischemic cardiomyopathy had evidence of prior HCV infection, not chronic.
  • The only patient with chronic HCV presented with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic hepatitis C is not a prevalent finding in patients with reduced ejection fraction cardiomyopathy.
  • A potential link between chronic hepatitis C and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy is suggested by this case.
  • Further research, including diverse populations, is warranted to investigate genetic predispositions and the impact of hepatitis treatment on cardiomyopathy resolution.

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