Original scientific paper

Cardiovascular system and human immunodeficiency virus infection

N. Petrosillo
S. Cicalini
R. Čivljak

Abstract

Although early clinical observations suggested that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spared the heart, subsequent experience has shown that cardiovascular diseases in the course of HIV infection are becoming more frequent. The frequency of these diseases is influenced by different variables such as survival prolongation in HIV-infected patients, advances in antiretroviral treatment, improvement of immunosupression and reduction in the occurrence of opportunistic infections, adverse effects of some drugs. Cardiac abnormalities in patients with HIV infection may include myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, endocarditis, pericardial effusion and pericarditis, AIDS-related heart tumors (Kaposi's sarcoma and malignant lymphomas), and pulmonary hypertension. Introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens have greatly altered cardiovascular manifestations of HIV. On one hand, HAART has significantly modified the course of HIV disease, lengthened survival, and improved the quality of life of HIV-infected patients. On the other hand, HAARTis associated with acceleration of atherosclerotic arterial disease, both peripheral and coronary. Therefore, detailed periodically cardiovascular monitoring is warranted for all HIV-infected patients, especially those with other known underlying cardiovascular risk factors, for early identification and appropriate treatment of HIV-related cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews clinical aspects of principal HIV-associated cardiovascular diseases with an emphasis on new knowledge about pathogenesis and treatment of such conditions.

Keywords

AIDS; dilated cardiomyopathy; pericardial effusion; endocarditis; HAART; HIV; pulmonary hypertension; myocarditis

Hrčak ID:

12752

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/12752

Publication date:

25.5.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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