Beneficial effects of DAAs on cardiac function and structure in hepatitis C patients with low-moderate liver fibrosis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic infection has been associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases. An altered morphology and function of both left and right heart have been described in HCV patients; however, the causality of the association is still debated. Ninety-eight nonobese and nondiabetic HCV patients (59.

Newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with advanced hepatitis C treated with DAAs: A prospective population study.

Background & Aims: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are safe and effective in patients with hepatitis C. Conflicting data were reported on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during/after therapy with DAAs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of newly diagnosed HCC and associated risk factors in patients with advanced hepatitis C treated with DAAs.

Altered intestinal function precedes the appearance of bacterial DNA in serum and ascites in patients with cirrhosis: a pilot study.

Objectives: Bacterial translocation seems to precede the occurrence of overt bacterial infection in patients with cirrhosis. The presence of bacterial DNA in blood and ascites correlates with bacterial translocation and is frequent in patients with advanced cirrhosis without overt infection. Our aim was to search for bacterial DNA in patients with cirrhosis both with and without ascites, and to study its correlation with abnormal intestinal motility or permeability and the presence of bacterial overgrowth.

The effect of iron depletion on chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Increasing evidence exists that iron overload, a common finding in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of this disease. The mechanisms by which iron excess induces liver damage along with the benefit of iron depletion via phlebotomy on biochemical and histological outcomes in patients with chronic HCV infection have been discussed in this review. Finally, we focus on the effect of iron reduction on the rate of response to interferon antiviral therapy.

Is liver resection justified in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma? Results of an observational study in 464 patients.

Background And Objective: The role of liver resection in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (multinodular or with macroscopic vascular involvement) is still controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of surgical resection compared to other therapeutic modalities in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Four hundred sixty four patients with HCC observed from 1991 to 2007 were included in the study.

Relationship between ABO blood group and von Willebrand factor levels: from biology to clinical implications.

Although a number of studies have demonstrated the influence of ABO blood group on plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF), the nature of this association and its clinical importance is still largely unknown.In this review, the most recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which ABO blood group determines plasma VWF levels and their clinical impact will be discussed.

Drug-induced anti-factor VIII antibodies: a systematic review.

Acquired hemophilia A is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening hemorrhagic disorder caused by the onset of autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII. Acquired hemophilia A is most frequently associated with autoimmune diseases, solid tumors, lymphoproliferative diseases, pregnancy, and drug reactions. However, in approximately 50 percent of the patients no underlying disorder can be identified.

Treatment of hepatitis C in hemophiliacs.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hemophiliacs who received nonvirucidally treated large-pool clotting factor concentrates before 1986. In fact, although many hemophiliacs infected with HCV have a slow progression of liver disease, in a minority of them hepatitis evolves toward end-stage liver disease and hepatocarcinoma. Moreover, a significant percentage of HCV-infected hemophiliacs were also coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which can accelerate the progression of liver disease.

[Hepatitis C in hemophiliacs].

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hereditary bleeding disorders treated with non virus inactivated clotting factor concentrates during the 1970s. In this article, we briefly report the actual knowledge about HCV infection in hemophiliacs, by analyzing the prevalence of HCV infection, the genotype distribution, the natural history of the infection and the most important factors involved in the progression of chronic hepatitis into liver cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Finally, we describe the main advances in the treatment of HCV infection.

Nonresponse to interferon monotherapy in HCV-related chronic hepatitis: results of retreatment and prognostic factors.

At present two of the most relevant problems of the therapy of HCV-related chronic active hepatitis are the retreatment of nonresponders to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and the definition of a prognostic index of response. We treated 44 patients who previously were nonresponders to IFN-alpha alone with IFN-alpha plus ribavirin for 12 months. Among the tests performed, we included the serum level of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) at the beginning of the trial and at 3 months thereafter.

Liver transplantation: making the best out of what we have.

Since the first human liver transplantation, carried out in 1963, the procedure has become routine with an excellent outcome in terms of both quality and length of survival. One of the major challenges facing the transplant community is the shortage of donor organs. Possible approaches to overcoming this problem include changes in legislation, setting up of organizational structures, more effective use of marginal donor livers, splitting livers, and the development of living related transplants.

Update on chronic hepatitis C in hemophiliacs.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients affected by hereditary bleeding disorders and treated with non-virus inactivated clotting factor concentrates during the 1970s.

Information Sources: In this review, we briefly report the present knowledge about HCV infection in hemophilic patients. The natural course of hepatitis C virus infection in hemophiliacs is described, by analyzing the prevalence of HCV infection, the genotype distribution and the risk factors involved in the progression of chronic hepatitis into severe liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma.