Recommended follow-up for patients who achieve an SVR

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Here are the new recommendations for HCV treatment follow-up if you had an SVR: http://hcvguidelines.org/full-report/monitoring-patients-who-are-starting-hepatitis-c-treatment-are-treatment-or-have

For patients who do not have advanced fibrosis (ie, those with Metavir F0, F1, or F2), recommended follow-up is the same as if they were never infected with HCV.

Assessment for HCV recurrence or reinfection is recommended only if the patient has ongoing risk for HCV infection or otherwise unexplained hepatic dysfunction develops. In such cases, a quantitative HCV RNA assay rather than an anti-HCV serology test is recommended to test for HCV recurrence or reinfection.

Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma with twice yearly ultrasound testing is recommended for patients with advanced fibrosis (ie, Metavir F3 or F4), who achieve an SVR.

A baseline endoscopy is recommended to screen for varices if cirrhosis is present. Patients in whom varices are found should be treated and followed up as indicated.

Assessment of other causes of liver disease is recommended for patients who develop persistently abnormal liver tests after achieving an SVR.

Routine assessment for regression in liver fibrosis after achieving SVR is NOT recommended.