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[Cardiovascular complications of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C]
H Kouno1, S Aimitsu, Y Ikemoto
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hiroshima Red-Cross and Atomic Bomb Survivor's Hospital.
Insights
Low-dose interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C can cause cardiovascular complications like atrioventricular block and myocarditis. Patients require cardiovascular risk assessment before interferon treatment and electrocardiogram monitoring during therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Interferon (IFN) therapy is used for chronic hepatitis C.
- High-dose IFN or cardio-toxic drugs are known to cause severe cardiovascular events.
- However, low-dose IFN has also been linked to cardiac issues even without pre-existing cardiovascular disease.
Observation:
- This study observed cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
- Four out of 643 patients (0.62%) experienced complications requiring cessation of IFN treatment.
- These complications included second-degree atrioventricular block, myocarditis, and severe sinus bradycardia.
Findings:
- Low-dose interferon therapy can induce cardiac adverse events, including myocarditis and atrioventricular block.
- Cardiovascular complications occurred in a small but significant percentage of patients treated for chronic hepatitis C.
- These events were observed even in patients without prior cardiovascular disease or exposure to cardiotoxic drugs.
Implications:
- Pre-treatment cardiovascular risk assessment is crucial for patients starting interferon therapy.
- Electrocardiogram monitoring during interferon treatment is recommended to detect early signs of cardiac complications.
- Further research into the mechanisms of low-dose interferon-induced cardiotoxicity is warranted.
Abstract:
Severe cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, ventricular fibrillation et al.) have been reported in patients who have been administrated extremely high dose interferon (IFN) or cardio-toxic drugs, or who have had cardiovascular diseases. But cardiomyopathy, myocarditis and atrioventricular block were reported in patients who administered low dose IFN and no cardio-toxic drugs or had no cardiovascular diseases. We report here cardiovascular complications during IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Cardiovascular complications that necessitated stopping IFN administration in 643 treated chronic hepatitis C patients are observed in 4 patients (0.62%). Second-degree atrioventricular block occurred in two patients, myocarditis in one patient and severe sinus bradycardia in one patient. So we have to check risk factors of cardiovascular complications before starting IFN therapy and electrocardiogram during IFN therapy.