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HIV & Atherosclerosis
Advances in antiretroviral treatment has increased the life expectancy of patients with HIV significantly, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 30% since they peaked in 2005.
HIV infection predisposes to a chronic inflammatory and immunologic dysfunctional state, subsequent highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) results in metabolic changes and dyslipidemia.
In the post-HAART era, CAD is now considered to be the main cause of heart failure in HIV-infected patients, superseding the prior most common etiologies myocarditis and opportunistic infections.
The presentation of CAD in HIV-infected patients is largely similar to that in the general population with the exception is that they present at a younger age.
Certain antiretroviral agents specifically protease inhibitors have conventionally been associated with lipid dysfunction, further complicating the HIV-infected patients milieu.
Recent research has shown that a C-C chemokine receptor-type 5 (CCR5) antagonists has emerged as a potential target both as an antiretroviral agent as well as in the process of arresting atherogenesis, but warrants more research.
References
Ng B, MacPherson P, et al. Heart failure in HIV infection: focus on the role of atherosclerosis. Current Opinion in Cardiology. Issue: Volume 29(2) pgs. 174-179 March 2014.