Carotid and femoral atherosclerosis in chronic hepatitis C: a 5-year follow-up.
The objective of this study was to assess the progression of atherosclerosis in carotid and femoral arteries after a 5-year period using ultrasound in subjects with chronic hepatitis C and in controls matched for classic atherosclerotic risk factors. A total of 40 patients and 40 controls were assessed by echocolor Doppler in 2001 and in 2006 to evaluate plaque and intima-media thickness. The patients showed no changes in plaque and intima-media thickness during the 5-year period in all districts examined, whereas a significant increase in intima-media thickness in the carotid sections was recorded in the controls. Chronic hepatitis C seems to cause delay in the atherosclerotic process.
Bilora
Franca
F
Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Clinica Medica II, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy. franca.bilora@sanita.padova.it
Campagnolo
Enrico
E
Rinaldi
Roberto
R
Rossato
Alberto
A
Arzenton
Marianna
M
Petrobelli
Francesco
F
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color