Management of cirrhotic patients after successful HCV eradication

RM Kwok, TT Tran - Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology, 2017 - Springer
RM Kwok, TT Tran
Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology, 2017Springer
Opinion statement Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus which, when untreated,
can lead to progressive inflammation and fibrosis resulting in cirrhosis, hepatocellular
carcinoma (HCC), and decompensations related to end-stage liver disease. The relatively
recent introduction of all oral, interferon-free, direct-acting antiviral medications against HCV
has transformed the management of these patients. Previous treatment regimens were
prolonged, poorly tolerated, and frequently did not result in cure. Current therapies achieve …
Opinion statement
Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus which, when untreated, can lead to progressive inflammation and fibrosis resulting in cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and decompensations related to end-stage liver disease. The relatively recent introduction of all oral, interferon-free, direct-acting antiviral medications against HCV has transformed the management of these patients. Previous treatment regimens were prolonged, poorly tolerated, and frequently did not result in cure. Current therapies achieve sustained viral response (SVR) in the vast majority of patients including those with decompensated liver disease; a previously challenging population to treat. These successes will result in significant numbers of cirrhotic patients requiring management after SVR. Although many complications of cirrhosis are improved in this setting, regular follow-up of HCC, esophageal varices, and other sequelae of cirrhosis will be necessary. This chapter will review the management of cirrhosis in HCV patients achieving cure.
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