Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Associated with Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in the MulticenterAIDSCohort Study (MACS): a Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated the association of chronic HCV (CHC) and coronary atherosclerosis among participants in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. 

METHODS:

We assessed 994 HIV-infected and -uninfected men (87 with CHC) for coronary plaque using non-contrast coronary CT and CT angiography (n=755/994) and evaluated the associations of CHC and HIV with measures of plaque prevalence, extent, and stenosis. 

RESULTS:

Adjusted for demographics, HIV serostatus, behaviors, and CVD risk factors, CHC was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) (prevalence ratio 1.29, 95% CI 1.02-1.63), any plaque (1.26, 95% CI 1.09-1.45), and noncalcified plaque (1.42, 95% CI 1.16-1.75). CHC and HIV were independently associated with the prevalence of any and noncalcified plaque, but there was no evidence of a synergistic effect due to HIV/HCV coinfection. The prevalence of CAC, any, noncalcified, mixed, and calcified plaque were significantly higher among men with HCV RNA ≥2x10 ⁶IU/mL compared to men without CHC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Chronic HCV infection is associated with subclinical cardiovascular disease, suggesting that HCV-infected individuals warrant vigilant cardiovascular risk assessments. Future research should determine whether HCV infection duration or HCV treatment impact coronary plaque development.