How Hepatitis C Virus Infection Contributes to Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a very common infection throughout the world with an estimated 200 million people infected in the world; so determination and prevention of morbidities associated with this infection is of utmost importance. 364,712 individuals who underwent investigation for potential associations between HCV infection and cardiovascular disorders in 31 studies have been reviewed in this systematic review. Only 6 out of 31 reviewed studies involving a cumulative population of 81,035 (22.2%) subjects reported a negative association between HCV infection and cardiovascular disorders. There were 2 prospective studies, both in favor of such a relation. Our data suggests that HCV has a significant effect on the development of cardiovascular diseases in the general population, either in the coronary or carotid artery. We suggest prospective cohort studies with more controlled conditions.