ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the efficacy of antiviral therapy of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) α-2a combined with ribavirin for patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis and hypersplenism underwent splenectomy or partial splenic embolization. Methods Thirty-eight patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis (genotype Ⅰ HCV infection) hypersplenism failed to the anti-viral therapy were performed splenectomy or partial splenic embolization to improving hypersplenism. After 3 months,Peg-IFNα-2a 90μg or 135 μg was given subcutaneously once weekly, plus ribavirin 600-1 000 mg/d orally for 1 year of the treatment. During the treatment, patients were followed at four-week intervals, and then followed-up every month until the 24th week after stopping. Liver function, blood routine, renal function, HCV RNA, and adverse reaction of medication were observed during treatment and the follow-up period. Results Splenic function of patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis and hypersplenism was improved after hypersplenism splenectomy or partial splenic embolization. The sustained virologic response (SVR) rate was 63.88%after giving Peg-IFNα-2a combined with ribavirin anti-viral treatment. Conclusion After splenectomy or partial splenic embolization, patients with hepatitis C cirrhosis and hypersplenism showed the better SVR at the treatment of Peg-IFNα-2a combined with ribavirin. The treatment could delay the progress of the hepatitis C cirrhosis and reduce the incidence of liver failure and liver cancer.