ADVERSE-EFFECTS OF INTERFERON ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR-SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C

The therapeutic effects of interferon in chronic hepatitis C and many of its adverse effects have been well documented. However, there are o nly a few reports regarding its adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical features of the adverse effects of interferon on the cardiovascular system in pati ents with chronic hepatitis C. We monitored 295 patients with chronic active hepatitis C during 312 courses of interferon therapy and for 1 year after the end of treatment for the presence of cardiovascular adv erse effects. We found 6 patients with cardiovascular adverse effects during interferon therapy and 4 more patients within 1 year after the end of therapy (10/312, 3.2%). The adverse effects of interferon on th e cardiovascular system included arrhythmia (n = 4), ischemic heart di sease (n = 4) and myocardial disease (n = 2). None of the clinical fac tors, including history of cardiovascular disease, were related to the se cardiovascular adverse effects. In all instances the patient's cond ition improved after discontinuation of interferon and adequate therap y. The cardiovascular adverse effects of interferon occurred frequentl y in patients with chronic hepatitis C, even after the end of therapy and they were unpredictable. Thus, all patients undergoing interferon therapy should be monitored not only during but also after the end of treatment.