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Atherosclerosis as a possible extrahepatic manifestation of chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Nobukazu Ishizaka1, Yuko Ishizaka1, Minoru Yamkado1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan.

Clinical Medicine Insights. Cardiology
|December 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may increase atherosclerosis risk, but research is mixed. Physicians should consider cardiovascular disease in HCV patients due to potential serious consequences.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Chronic infection and inflammation are linked to atherosclerosis.
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is suspected to increase atherosclerotic vascular changes.
  • Mechanisms linking HCV to atherogenesis are not fully understood, and study results vary.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the association between chronic hepatitis C virus infection and atherosclerotic vascular changes.
  • To highlight the potential comorbidity of cardiovascular disorders in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on HCV infection and atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of studies examining cardiovascular outcomes in HCV-infected individuals.
  • Consideration of factors influencing observed associations, such as sample size and study design.

Main Results:

  • Some studies suggest a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic changes in coronary, cerebrovascular, and carotid arteries in HCV patients.
  • Other studies report no association or even an inverse association between HCV infection and atherosclerosis.
  • Discrepancies in findings may stem from variations in study populations, sample sizes, and methodologies.

Conclusions:

  • Physicians must remain aware of cardiovascular disorders as a significant potential comorbidity in patients with chronic HCV infection.
  • The precise mechanisms underlying the relationship between HCV and atherogenesis require further investigation.
  • Despite conflicting data, the potential clinical consequences warrant clinical vigilance.

Keywords:
atherosclerosiscoronary artery diseasehepatitis C virus

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