Improvement of carotid atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease after hepatitis C virus eradication by direct-acting antivirals.

Introduction: Recent research points to a link between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cardiovascular disease, especially carotid atherosclerosis, and suggests that HCV clearance may impact cardiovascular outcomes.

Aim: To determine if viral eradication by the new oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents has benefit regarding carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease (PAD), steatosis, and liver fibrosis.

Patients, materials and methods: We conducted a prospective study on 168 patients diagnosed with chronic HCV infection or HCV-related cirrhosis. They were all treated with DAAs, with sustained virological response (SVR). Laboratory data, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were recorded in all patients.

Results: We found an average IMT of 1.22±0.2 mm, with a variance range from 1.14±0.19 mm in the mild and moderate fibrosis (≤F2) group to 1.29±0.25 mm in the severe fibrosis (≥F3) group. Also, patients with severe fibrosis (≥F3) present a more critical decrease of IMT values, with the carotid thickness affecting only 18.2% of individuals in the follow-up period. At the baseline, the best values of ABI were recorded in patients having F1-F2 fibrosis stage (mean value 1.02±0.19). Instead, in the group with severe fibrosis, the average value of ABI was lower (0.91±0.16) at the baseline, with a significant increase at SVR evaluation (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Our research highlights the beneficial effect of viral eradication on both carotid atherosclerosis and PAD, especially in those with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis.