Hemodialysis access surgery--is there an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus compared to other elective vascular interventions?
BACKGROUND
To evaluate whether dedicated access surgeons might have a significantly higher risk of acquiring hepatitis C infection compared to other vascular surgeons by assessing the prevalence of hepatitis C patients who are on chronic hemodialysis and to compare the frequency to patients undergoing elective vascular interventions.


METHODS
A retrospective chart and data analysis of all patients on chronic hemodialysis was conducted. As a comparative group, the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and positive HCV RNA PCR among patients admitted for elective vascular surgery was assessed.


RESULTS
Of 285 patients on chronic hemodialysis, 202 (71%) were had both tests (antibody test for HCV and specific HCV RNA PCR testing). 5% (n = 11; CI 95 = 3-10%) were antibody positive, and 4% (n = 8; CI 95 = 2-8%) were also PCR positive and therefore infectious. One patient was acutely infected. Of 4963 vascular surgical patients, 1141 (23%) had an anti-HCV antibody ELISA test and specific HCV RNA PCR testing. 0.4% (n = 4; CI 95 = 0.1-1%) were antibody positive and 0.2% (n = 2; CI 95 = 0.03-0.7%) were also PCR positive and hence infectious. No acutely infected patient was detected in this population. The chance of operating on a HCV positive and infectious patient among hemodialysis patients was almost 27 times higher than among elective vascular surgical patients (P < 0.0001; OR = 26.56; CI 95 = 5.42-253.40).


CONCLUSIONS
Dedicated hemodialysis access surgeons have a higher risk to acquire hepatitis C infection compared to vascular surgeons performing all other elective vascular surgical interventions. To identify early infected surgeons operating on high risk HCV patient collectives and to start rapid treatment, PCR testing at regular intervals would be advisable.
Assadian
A
A
Department of General and Vascular Surgery, Wilhelminenspital Vienna, Vienna, Austria. afshin_assadian@yahoo.de
Assadian
O
O
Holak
G
G
Watkins-Riedel
T
T
Senekowitsch
C
C
Kovarik
J
J
Hagmüller
G W
GW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000078329:Workforce
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral