HIV and coronary heart disease: time for a better understanding.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease, and particularly coronary heart disease, is an emerging area of concern in the HIV population. Since the advent of efficient antiretroviral therapies and the consequent longer patient life span, an increased risk for myocardial infarction has been observed in HIV-infected patients compared with the general population in Western countries. The pathophysiology of this accelerated atherosclerotic process is complex and multifactorial. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors-overrepresented in the HIV population-associated with uncontrolled viral replication and exposure to antiretroviral drugs (per se or through lipid and glucose disturbances) could promote acute ischemic events. Thus, despite successful antiviral therapy, numerous studies suggest a role of chronic inflammation, together with immune activation, that could lead to vascular dysfunction and atherothrombosis. It is time for physicians to prevent coronary heart disease in this high-risk population through the use of tools employed in the general population. Moreover, the lower median age at which acute coronary syndromes occur in HIV-infected patients should shift prevention to include patients <45 years of age. Available cardiovascular risk scores in the general population usually fail to screen young patients at risk for myocardial infarction. Moreover, the novel vascular risk factors identified in HIV-related atherosclerosis, such as chronic inflammation, immune activation, and some antiretroviral agents, are not taken into account in the available risk scores, leading to underestimation of cardiovascular risk in the HIV population. Cardiovascular prevention in HIV-infected patients is a challenge for both cardiologists and physicians involved in HIV care. We require new tools to assess this higher risk and studies to determine whether intensive primary prevention is warranted.

• Authors: Franck Boccara, Sylvie Lang, Catherine Meuleman, Stephane Ederhy, Murielle Mary-Krause, Dominique Costagliola, Jacqueline Capeau, Ariel Cohen
• Journal: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (J Am Coll Cardiol) Vol. 61 Issue 5 Pg. 511-23 (Feb 05 2013) ISSN: 1558-3597 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23369416 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Retroviral Agents
• Blood Glucose

Topics

• Anti-Retroviral Agents (adverse effects)
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active (adverse effects)
• Blood Glucose (drug effects, metabolism)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Comprehension
• Coronary Disease (blood, chemically induced, epidemiology)
• HIV Infections (blood, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Risk Factors