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Hepatitis C and the heart: to beat or not to beat
- Source :
-
International Journal of Cardiology . Aug2004, Vol. 96 Issue 2, p147-149. 3p. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- 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 &y& Elsevier]
- Subjects :
- *HEPATITIS C
*CARDIOMYOPATHIES
*HEART beat
*ENTEROVIRUSES
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01675273
- Volume :
- 96
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Cardiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 13806936
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2003.04.069