Full recovery from severe dilated cardiomyopathy in an HIV-infected patient

HIV-related cardiomyopathy is usually seen in persons with advanced HIV disease and carries a very poor prognosis. Severe dilated cardiomyopathy necessitating hospitalization in the cardiac ICU with vasopressor and ventilator support developed in a 44-year-old HIV-infected man with a CD4+ cell count of 552/microL and an undetectable plasma HIV RNA level who was treated with didanosine and hydroxyurea. During the course of a year, he had full recovery of cardiac function. Aggressive intervention is warranted in otherwise healthy HIV-infected patients presenting with severe dilated cardiomyopathy.