Abstract: Objective To explore the changes in shear wave velocity (SWV) and carotid elasticity parameters of Ultrosound in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, and analyze their relationship with the degree of liver fibrosis. Methods From January 2020 to February 2022, 117 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB group), 57 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC group) and 50 age and sex matched healthy people (control group) were enrolled in this study. Acoustic radiation force pulse imaging (ARFI) and carotid ultrasound were performed on the three groups of subjects, and shear wave velocity (SWV), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), pulse wave conduction velocity (PWV), dilation coefficient (DC), compliance coefficient (CC), stiffness parameters (α, β) and arterial pressure enhancement index (AIx) were recorded. Blood biochemical indexes, SWV and carotid elasticity parameters were compared among the three groups. Results The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in CHB group were (5.5±1.0)%, (46.5±8.5) U/L and (45.2±7.2) U/L, respectively, while those in CHC group were (6.7±1.7)% and (43.2±9.4) U/L. They were significantly higher than those of (5.2±0.5)%, (28.2±5.8) U/L and (23.8±5.7) in the control group U/L(P<0.05). The Alb and HDL in CHB group were (40.8±8.7) g/L and (1.0±0.3) mmol/L, while those in CHC group were (40.8±8.1) g/L and (0.9±0.3) mmol/L, which were significantly lower than those of (43.8±9.2)g/L and(1.2±0.4)mmol/L in the control group (P<0.05). SWV, CIMT, PWV, α, β and AIx in CHB group were (1.84±0.50) m/s, (0.63±0.15)mm, (6.70±1.16) m/s, (4.13±1.61), (8.42±3.15) and (3.08±0.46)%, and in CHC group were (1.86±0.36) m/s, (0.69±0.17)mm, (7.96±1.33) m/s, (5.77±2.22), (11.67±4.22) and (3.03±0.45)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of (1.03±0.10) m/s, (0.51±0.11)mm, (6.09±0.76) m/s, (3.03±0.63), (6.18±1.30) and (1.65±0.52)% in the control group (P<0.05). The DC and CC of CHB group were (0.020±0.009) 1/kPa, (1.05±0.34) mm²/kPa, while those of CHC group were (0.017±0.007) 1/kPa and (0.82±0.38) mm²/kPa, which were significantly lower than those of (0.032±0.010) 1/kPa, (1.29±0.20) mm²/kPa in the control group (P<0.05). The number of S0, S1, S2, S3 and S4 patients were 17 cases, 20 cases, 41 cases, 25 cases and 14 cases, respectively. SWV and CIMT in CHB patients with higher degree of liver fibrosis were significantly higher than those with lower degree of liver fibrosis (P<0.05). S0, S1, S2, S3 and S4 in patients with CHC were 11 cases, 12 cases, 11 cases, 14 cases and 9 cases, respectively. SWV and CIMT in patients with high degree of liver fibrosis were significantly higher than those with low degree of liver fibrosis (P<0.05). Conclusion In patients with CHB and CHC, not only the liver hardness increased significantly, but also the carotid elasticity parameters changed. Using ARFI technology and carotid ultrasound to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis is helpful to monitor cardiovascular events in patients with CHB and CHC.

Key words: Chronic viral hepatitis, Shear wave velocity, Carotid intima-media thickness