Epidemiologic Survey of Positive HCV, HBV and HIV Tests among Patients Admitted for Cardiac Surgery and Invasive Procedures, In Afshar Hospital in Yazd (2008-2012)

The transmission chance of blood transmitted infections in heart patients underlying surgery and interventional measures due to repeated examinations and transfusions is to be taken into consideration. The important causes of chronic and deadly diseases in patients and healthcare workers are Hepatitis C, HIV and Hepatitis B infections that have recently attracted the attention of all the medical fields. This study assesses frequency of HCV, HBV and HIV infections in heart surgeries and cardiac interventions.

In this cross - sectional study, all the patients for cardiac surgery or invasive cardiac measures in Yazd Afshar Hospital were enrolled (admitted from 2008 to 2012). Data were collected from medical records using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.

Of 2414 patients admitted during these years, 27 patients (1.1%) suffered from HBV infection and 29 patients (1.2%) from HCV infection; no HIV positive case was identified. HBV prevalence was highest in the age group of 16 to 30 years. In the case of HCV, a significant relationship was found between different groups in terms of age, gender and geographic location. In the age group of 31 to 45, the highest prevalence of HCV was observed in men (2%) and women (0.1%) respectively. Infected individuals from Yazd (1.7%) were significantly higher than non- Yazdi (0.3%) individuals.

The prevalence of viral hepatitis in cardiac patients is similar to that of the general population. Therefore, there seems to be a need for tests such as HIVAb, HCVAb, and HBsAg before surgery. These tests are recommended for patients with a higher risk of infection.