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Atherosclerosis as Extrahepatic Manifestation of Chronic Infection with Hepatitis C Virus

Theodoros Voulgaris1, Vassilios A Sevastianos1

  • 14th Department of Internal Medicine, "Evangelismos" General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou Street, 106 76 Athens, Greece.

Hepatitis Research and Treatment
|February 18, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Successful hepatitis C treatment (HCV) can lead to liver disease resolution. However, cardiovascular risks persist, impacting long-term health and quality of life even after viral eradication.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Cardiology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection progresses to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), causing significant morbidity and mortality.
  • Sustained virologic response (SVR) after HCV therapy resolves liver disease in non-cirrhotic patients.
  • Cirrhotic patients remain at risk for complications and mortality, including HCC, despite viral clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cardiovascular risk associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
  • To assess the impact of direct-acting antiviral therapy on cardiovascular risk in HCV patients.
  • To understand the long-term health implications and quality of life post-HCV eradication.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies linking HCV infection to atherogenic processes.
  • Analysis of data on cardiovascular outcomes in treated and untreated HCV patients.
  • Evaluation of emerging cardiovascular risks following direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Main Results:

  • HCV is a strong, independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.
  • Direct-acting antiviral therapies have significantly increased SVR rates for HCV.
  • Cardiovascular risk is a major concern post-HCV eradication, affecting life expectancy and quality of life.

Conclusions:

  • While HCV treatment improves liver outcomes, cardiovascular complications remain a significant concern.
  • Eradication of HCV does not eliminate cardiovascular risk, necessitating ongoing management.
  • Further research is needed to address the cardiovascular burden in patients successfully treated for HCV.

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