Background: Many enteroviruses as well as hepatitis C have been increas ingly f ound in association with cardiomyopathies, even though, the evidence has been in conclusive. Methods: From 1998 to 2001, at the liver cli...Background: Many enteroviruses as well as hepatitis C have been increas ingly f ound in association with cardiomyopathies, even though, the evidence has been in conclusive. Methods: From 1998 to 2001, at the liver clinic of our community bas ed hospital, in the cohort of hepatitis C patients, infection evidence by PCR co nfirmation and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) function were obtained. Results: One hundred-eight patients were identified. Fifty percent o f them have echocardiographic abnormalities. Patients mean age was 55±10 year s; 45%women, 55%men; 32%had LVH, 13.8%had high right ventricular systolic pr essures, and 4%displayed contractility abnormalities. No cases of dilated or hy pertrophic cardiomiopathies were found. Conclusions: Echocardiographic abnormali ties are not uncommon findings associated with hepatitis C infection, however al l 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.展开更多
文摘Background: Many enteroviruses as well as hepatitis C have been increas ingly f ound in association with cardiomyopathies, even though, the evidence has been in conclusive. Methods: From 1998 to 2001, at the liver clinic of our community bas ed hospital, in the cohort of hepatitis C patients, infection evidence by PCR co nfirmation and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) function were obtained. Results: One hundred-eight patients were identified. Fifty percent o f them have echocardiographic abnormalities. Patients mean age was 55±10 year s; 45%women, 55%men; 32%had LVH, 13.8%had high right ventricular systolic pr essures, and 4%displayed contractility abnormalities. No cases of dilated or hy pertrophic cardiomiopathies were found. Conclusions: Echocardiographic abnormali ties are not uncommon findings associated with hepatitis C infection, however al l 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.
