Association between coronary artery disease and hepatitis C virus seropositivity.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Predisposing factors include some infectious aetiologies that have a systemic effect like hepatitis C virus.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to explore the association between hepatitis C viral infection and coronary artery disease.

METHODS

This case-control study was designed to include 100 patients attending the Cardiology Department in Tanta University Hospital, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt, for diagnostic angiography. A consecutive sample of 50 patients with abnormal angiographic findings was matched with another 50 consecutive patients with normal angiographic findings regarding age, sex, and major risk factors for coronary artery disease (diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking). Patients were investigated for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

RESULTS

We found that 46% of abnormal angiography were HCV-positive compared to 28% of patients with normal angiography; this difference was not statistically significant. On studying the number of vessels affected among patients with abnormal angiography it was noted that one vessel affection was found mainly among HCV-negative patients (59.3% compared to 17.4% among HCV-negative and -positive patients). Multi-vessel affection was found mainly among HCV-positive patient (47.8% compared to 22.2% among HCV-positive and -negative respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The possible association between HCV positivity and extension of coronary artery disease may refer to the role of HCV in coronary artery disease pathology. Further studies on a large scale to investigate this association are recommended.