Antiviral therapy in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients with chron

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http://www.informap harmascience. com/doi/abs/ 10.1517/14656560 903066811

Summary

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy

Posted online on 30 Jun 2009.

Antiviral therapy in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients with

chronic HCV infection

Angelo Iacobellis & #65533;† MD & Angelo Andriulli & #65533;

`Casa Sollievo Sofferenza' Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology, IRCCS, viale

Cappuccini 1, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy +39 08 8241 0263; +39 08 8283

5411; a.andriulli@ operapadrepio. it

†Author for correspondence

Liver cirrhosis secondary to HCV infection is a chronic disorder that carries

high morbidity and mortality. Approved antiviral treatment for this condition at

present includes peginterferon in combination with ribavirin. Treatment is only

recommended for a well-compensated liver cirrhosis, whereas antiviral therapy is

commonly not implemented in cirrhotics with signs of liver decompensation, over

the concern that the use of peginterferon and ribavirin might expose patients to

severe treatment-related side effects. This review focuses on data available to

support both efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy in both compensated and

decompensated cirrhotic patients.