Direct-acting antivirals improve endothelial function in patients with chronic hepatitis: a prospective cohort study

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We evaluated effects of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a recognized marker of cardiovascular risk. We evaluated FMD and post-ischemic hyperemia (PIH) in consecutive HCV out-patients before starting DAAs, at the end of treatment (Teot) and 12 weeks thereafter. In 22 HCV subjects (age 64.0 years), baseline FMD was...