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Background: Many enteroviruses as well as hepatitis C have been increasingly found in association with cardiomyopathies, even though, the evidence has been inconclusive., Methods: From 1998 to 2001, at the liver clinic of our community-based hospital, in the cohort of hepatitis C patients, infection evidence by PCR confirmation and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) function were obtained., Results: One hundred-eight patients were identified. Fifty percent of them have echocardiographic abnormalities. Patient's mean age was 55 +/- 10 years; 45% women, 55% men; 32% had LVH, 13.8% had high right ventricular systolic pressures, and 4% displayed contractility abnormalities. No cases of dilated or hypertrophic cardiomiopathies were found., Conclusions: Echocardiographic abnormalities are not uncommon findings associated with hepatitis C infection, however all these findings can easily be explained by existing co-morbidities. High right ventricular systolic pressure, suggestive of pulmonary hypertension, which may be secondary to portal hypertension, is an independent finding for hepatitis C., (Copyright 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)