Macrophages, Portal Hypertension, and Liver Function During AbbVie Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C

New AbbVie Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection - Effects on the Macrophage Activation Marker Soluble CD163, Portal Hypertension, and Metabolic Liver Function

Investigation of the effects of the new Abbvie direct acting anti-viral (DAA) treatment of chronic viral hepatitis C infection on the macrophage specific activation marker soluble CD163, portal hypertension determined by the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and metabolic liver function determined by the galactose elimination capacity (GEC) test and the functional hepatic nitrogen clearance (FHNC).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 or 4 patients initiating the new AbbVie treatment (paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir og dasabuvir sammen med ribavirin)
• Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe liver dysfunction - Child-Pugh klasse B-C
• Life expectancy less than 6 months
• planned liver transplantation or TIPS procedure within 6 months
• non-compliance to treatment or study procedures
• allergy to the DAA drugs used (paritaprevir, ritonavir, ombitasvir, dasabuvir, and ribavirin)
• pregnancy or expected pregnancy during the study (anti-conception has to be used)
• breast feeding
• portal vein thrombosis
• liver cancer or other malignancies
• alcohol consumption