The Effect of Hepatitis C Virologic Clearance on Cardiovascular Disease Biomarker Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 and its relation to Serum Lipids

Abstract

To this day, hepatitis C virus infection represents a global burden. The long term impact of HCV infection is highly variable, ranging from minimal effects to severe extra-hepatic complications including CVD. HCV treatment has been transformed by the availability of DAAs, which achieve >90% SVR rates. The optimal method for CVD risk assessment in HCV infected persons is currently unknown. Total cholesterol, LDL, and hsCRP, which are routinely used, are reduced in the setting of HCV-associated chronic liver disease and hence underestimate CVD risk in these patients. Non-hepatic CVD markers such as Lp-PLA2 may be better CVD risk predictors in this setting. In addition, successful HCV treatment may reduce CVD risk and improve levels of non-hepatic CVD biomarkers. The aim of this study was to measure the level of serum Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and serum lipids, in chronic HCV infected patients, before and after treatment with DAAs, to identify change in risk of cardiovascular disease in relation to HCV clearance. This prospective study was conducted on 90 chronic HCV infected patients, with no underlying CVD, eligible for antiviral treatment with DAAs. 45 patients (50%) had