Interferon Induced Myocardial Disorders mhepatitis C Virus Patients

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is the most common cause of newly diagnosed chronic liver disease. Prevention of HCV complications can be achieved by antiviral therapy. Cardiovascular complications occurred in clinical trials of interferon. The most common presentations of cardio toxicity were cardiac arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, symptoms of IHD, and low-level conduction impairment or reversible hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in hepatitis c virus patients treated by interferon alfa. The study included 50 Egyptian cases infected by Hepatitis C virus and was candidate for treatment by Interferon alpha. After initial cardiac evaluation, IFN-alpha 2b was administered once weekly for 6 months, and cardiac evaluation [medical history, physical examination, ECG, systolic and diastolic function parameters by echocardiography] was performed on the 6th month of therapy. In this study, abnormal findings were detected in some patients dilated cardiomyopathy, early diastolic dysfunctions, mild thickening of the left ventricle, atrial extra systole, and ST segment depression. All of our results were statistically non significant [p-value >0.05]. There was no significant change or adverse effects due to the virus C itself or Interferon alpha therapy. Findings support the tolerability of human leukocyte Interferon alpha for treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C