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- HIV infected patients are at higher calculated risk for CHD compared w/the general population of the same age
- HIV is known to promote atherosclerosis through mechanisms related to immune activation, chronic inflammation, coagulation disorders, and lipid disturbances
- Additionally combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) has an affect on lipid and glucose metabolism demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo
- The presence of an accelerated process of coronary atherosclerosis in this population is a major concern
- Practitioners should have a high index of suspicion when confronted by young HIV patients and further data/strategies to prevent early CHD in HIV-infected patients is warranted
References
Boccara F, et al. HIV and Coronary Heart Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013;61:511–23