Ampuero, JavierRomero-Gómez, Manuel2016-01-142016-01-142015-09-08Ampuero J, Romero-Gómez M. Assessing cardiovascular risk in hepatitis C: An unmet need. World J Hepatol. 2015; 7(19):2214-9http://hdl.handle.net/10668/2126Journal Article; Review;Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, as a result of the progression towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, HCV seems to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to its association with insulin resistance, diabetes and steatosis. HCV infection represents an initial step in the chronic inflammatory cascade, showing a direct role in altering glucose metabolism. After achieving sustained virological response, the incidence of insulin resistance and diabetes dramatically decrease. HCV core protein plays an essential role in promoting insulin resistance and oxidative stress. On the other hand, atherosclerosis is a common disease in which the artery wall thickens due to accumulation of fatty deposits. The main step in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques is the oxidation of low density lipoprotein particles, together with the increased production of proinflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 or C-reactive protein]. The advent of new direct acting antiviral therapy has dramatically increased the sustained virological response rates of hepatitis C infection. In this scenario, the cardiovascular risk has emerged and represents a major concern after the eradication of the virus. Consequently, the number of studies evaluating this association is growing. Data derived from these studies have demonstrated the strong link between HCV infection and the atherogenic process, showing a higher risk of coronary heart disease, carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease and, ultimately, CVD-related mortality.enHepatitis CAtherosclerosisCoronary artery diseaseCardiovascular riskOxidative stressInflammationProteína C-reactivaCarcinoma hepatocelularEnfermedad de la arteria coronariaHepatitis CMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Chemical Actions and Uses::Pharmacologic Actions::Therapeutic Uses::Anti-Infective Agents::Antiviral AgentsMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Cardiovascular System::Blood Vessels::ArteriesMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Cardiovascular Diseases::Vascular Diseases::Arterial Occlusive Diseases::ArteriosclerosisMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Proteins::Albumins::C-Reactive ProteinMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Neoplasms::Neoplasms by Histologic Type::Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial::Carcinoma::Adenocarcinoma::Carcinoma, HepatocellularMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Cardiovascular DiseasesMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Nervous System Diseases::Central Nervous System Diseases::Brain Diseases::Cerebrovascular Disorders::Carotid Artery DiseasesMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Cardiovascular Diseases::Heart Diseases::Myocardial Ischemia::Coronary Disease::Coronary Artery DiseaseMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases::Metabolic Diseases::Glucose Metabolism Disorders::Diabetes MellitusMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Carbohydrates::Monosaccharides::Hexoses::GlucoseMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Viruses::Hepatitis Viruses::HepacivirusMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Virus Diseases::Hepatitis, Viral, Human::Hepatitis CMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Virus Diseases::Hepatitis, Viral, Human::Hepatitis C::Hepatitis C, ChronicMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Data Collection::Vital Statistics::Morbidity::IncidenceMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases::Metabolic Diseases::Glucose Metabolism Disorders::Hyperinsulinism::Insulin ResistanceMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Peptides::Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::Cytokines::Interleukins::Interleukin-18Medical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Peptides::Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::Cytokines::Interleukins::Interleukin-6Medical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Lipids::Lipoproteins::Lipoproteins, LDLMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Digestive System Diseases::Liver Diseases::Liver CirrhosisMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Neoplasms::Neoplasms by Site::Digestive System Neoplasms::Liver NeoplasmsMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Metabolic Phenomena::Metabolism::Oxidative StressMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Cardiovascular Diseases::Vascular Diseases::Arterial Occlusive Diseases::Arteriosclerosis::Atherosclerosis::Peripheral Arterial DiseaseMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Pathological Conditions, Anatomical::Plaque, AtheroscleroticMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Statistics as Topic::Probability::Risk::Risk FactorsMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins::Peptides::Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins::Cytokines::Monokines::Tumor Necrosis Factor-alphareview article26380047open access10.4254/wjh.v7.i19.22141948-5182PMC4561776