Acute changes in cardiac function by direct acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C−infected patients with thalassemia

Abstract

Sofosbuvir-based regimens for HCV treatment were safe for our HCV-infected patients with thalassemia. Our patients' ejection fraction remained unchanged. Hence, more specialized echocardiographic evaluations were recommended for those with a history of cardiac abnormalities, cardiac iron overload, and in case of any cardiac adverse event during DAA therapy in patients with thalassemia.

Hepatitis C and Thalassemia: A Story with (Almost) a Happy Ending

“…Similar efficacy and lack of specific adverse events has been demonstrated Irrespectively of the different iron chelators in use [ 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Experiences with DAAs in patients with thalassemia have been reported worldwide [ 72 , 73 ]. Commonly, the patients treated in resource-limited countries are children or adolescents with results comparable to the adults [ 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

“…However, it is possible that cryoglobulinemia has resulted in irreversible complications that are destined to last and show lifelong signs such as peripheral neuropathy and cerebral vasculopathy [70,84]. Furthermore, as reported in the general population, not all patients exhibit negative cryoglobulins at SVR, if treated with DAAs [61,71,73]. In cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, B-cell proliferation may eventually reach an HCV-independent autonomous phase [85].…”