Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

An In Vitro Model for Measuring Immune Responses to Malaria in the Context of HIV Co-infection
08:14

An In Vitro Model for Measuring Immune Responses to Malaria in the Context of HIV Co-infection

Published on: October 6, 2015

HIV infection and the cardiovascular system

Giuseppe Barbaro1, Edward C Klatt

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. g.barbaro@tin.it

AIDS Reviews
|August 3, 2002
PubMed

Insights

HIV treatment advances increase long-term survivors, but cardiovascular disease remains a significant concern. Early cardiac evaluation is crucial for managing HIV-associated heart conditions, even with effective antiretroviral therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Improved HIV treatment prolongs patient survival, leading to increased prevalence of long-term HIV effects.
  • Cardiac involvement is frequent in advanced HIV, with common manifestations including dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and pulmonary hypertension.
  • Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) improves survival but does not fully prevent or reverse many HIV-related cardiac sequelae and may increase risks for arterial diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on cardiovascular disease in HIV patients.
  • To highlight the importance of early cardiovascular evaluation in HIV management.
  • To explore how studying HIV-related cardiovascular disease can inform non-HIV-related cardiovascular disease mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on HIV-associated cardiovascular disease.
  • Analysis of autopsy and echocardiography findings in HIV patients.
  • Synthesis of information on cardiac manifestations and treatment implications.

Main Results:

  • Common cardiac issues in advanced HIV include dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, pericardial effusion, endocarditis, neoplasms, and drug toxicity.
  • Many HIV-related cardiac conditions persist despite HAART.
  • HAART may be linked to increased peripheral and coronary artery disease.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiovascular complications are a major concern in long-term HIV survivors.
  • Regular cardiovascular assessment is vital for early detection and treatment of cardiac issues in HIV patients.
  • Research into HIV cardiovascular disease offers insights into broader cardiovascular pathology.

More Related Videos

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment07:21

Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment

Published on: June 23, 2019

Isolation, Transfection, and Culture of Primary Human Monocytes09:13

Isolation, Transfection, and Culture of Primary Human Monocytes

Published on: December 16, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Overview of the Cardiovascular System01:14

Overview of the Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is a vital transportation system in the body. It comprises the heart and blood vessels and facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products.
Heart
The heart is the central pump of the cardiovascular system that circulates blood throughout the body. It comprises two atria receiving the blood and two ventricles pumping blood out of the heart. Their rhythmic contractions, called heartbeats, ensure that blood flow remains continuous.
Blood Vessels
Blood...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Regulation of the Cardiovascular System01:27

Regulation of the Cardiovascular System

The regulation of the cardiovascular system allows the body to adapt to various demands and maintain homeostasis.
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...