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Patients with HCV infection have a higher risk for carotid atherosclerosis and cerebrocardiovascular events.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is associated with greater mortality compared with that in the general population or even mortality associated with HIV infection. Although liver disease and liver cirrhosis account for the bulk of HCV-related disease burden and deaths, it is becoming increasingly evident that HCV infection is a systemic disease with extrahepatic manifestations.
A strong association between HCV infection and immune-related disorders, such as cryoglobulinemia, and metabolic alterations, such as insulin resistance, has been demonstrated. More recent evidence suggests HCV infection is linked to an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders. Whether a relationship between HCV infection and cardiovascular disease exists may have important implications for HCV treatment.
How exactly HCV might be related to increased cardiovascular risk is unclear, but several possible mechanisms have been proposed. According to Dr Lo Re, “Several studies have identified a higher prevalence of metabolic comorbidities related to HCV infection, particularly diabetes mellitus. Other studies have suggested that HCV-associated inflammation might promote atherosclerosis.”
“A direct viral activity has also been reported and could potentially explain these associations,” he added. Studies have reported a positive association between higher HCV-RNA viral loads and cardiovascular disorders such as carotid atherosclerosis and myocardial injury, and another study identified HCV-RNA in carotid plaques of individuals with positive serology for anti-HCV, but not in seronegative individuals.
Read complete article here: http://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/hepatitis/hcv-cardiovascular-disease/article/681295/