Management of Advanced Fibrosis in the Context of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Advanced fibrosis may be present in a substantial proportion of individuals with asymptomatic, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including those who have been newly diagnosed. HCV treatment improves all-cause and liver-related mortality in individuals with advanced fibrosis, and there is some evidence that reversal of decompensated liver disease may occur in those with a sustained virologic response. HCV treatment is also crucial for individuals undergoing liver transplantation, as recurrent HCV infection posttransplantation is associated with accelerated fibrosis progression and increased risk of poor outcomes. This article summarizes a presentation by Elizabeth C. Verna, MD, at the IAS–USA continuing education program, Management of Hepatitis C Virus in the New Era: Small Molecules Bring Big Changes, held in New York, New York, in September 2015