RT Journal Article T1 Hepatitis C Virus Clearance by Direct-Acting Antivirals Agents Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: HEPCAR Study. A1 Muñoz-Hernández, Rocío A1 Ampuero, Javier A1 Millán, Raquel A1 Gil-Gómez, Antonio A1 Rojas, Ángela A1 Macher, Hada C A1 Gallego-Durán, Rocío A1 Gato, Sheila A1 Montero-Vallejo, Rocío A1 Rico, María C A1 Maya-Miles, Douglas A1 Sánchez-Torrijos, Yolanda A1 Soria, Isabel Carmona A1 Stiefel, Pablo A1 Romero-Gómez, Manuel AB Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been related to increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with hepatitis C virus treated with direct-acting antiviral agents. A total of 114 patients were prospectively recruited and underwent CV risk assessment including (i) endothelial dysfunction determined through laser Doppler flowmetry and (ii) subclinical atherosclerosis, elucidated by the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Atherogenic lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides); markers of oxidative stress (oxidized low-density lipoprotein antibodies [OLAbs]), soluble markers of adhesion (vascular cell adhesion molecule [VCAM], e-selectin, and soluble markers of angiogenesis; and vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial [EMPs] and platelet [PMPs] apoptotic microparticles, and cell-free DNA [cfDNA]) were measured. All determinations were performed at baseline, 12 weeks (SVR time), and 1 year after treatment. In patients with endothelial dysfunction, area of hyperemia improved after virus clearance (P = 0.013) and was related to significant decrease in VCAM, e-selectin (P HCV clearance improved not only liver function but also endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis promoted by decrease in levels of VCAM, e-selectin, cfDNA, and PMPs and EMPs. YR 2020 FD 2020 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/27948 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/27948 LA en DS RISalud RD Apr 6, 2025