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�† MD & Angelo Andriulli�
‘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.


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