Cardiovascular risk among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy

Dyslipidemia is now recognized as a significant potential adverse event in HIV-positive patients who are on ART. The tide of evidence continues to flow between the shore of HIV being the primary factor behind increased cardiovascular risk in HIV-positive patients, and the ocean of HAART being the primary cause. However, there clearly is an association between long-term infection with HIV and metabolic abnormalities. HIV-infected adults should undergo evaluation and treatment based on the NCEP ATP III guidelines. The NCEP recommends non-pharmacologic interventions be given a thorough trial prior to consideration of drug therapy. The recommendations also stipulate that intensive therapy with lipid-lowering medications should be used in individuals with metabolic syndrome. This includes aggressive treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The NCEP also emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation, weight reduction, increased physical activity, and a salubrious diet. The fundamental message still is that physicians must treat HIV infection first. The choice of ART depends on many patient-specific factors, of which cardiovascular risk is only one.