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HIV disease and an atherosclerotic ascending aortic aneurysm

Humair Mirza1, Parag Patel, Krishnamurthy Suresh

  • 1State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA.

Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
|September 4, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause cardiovascular issues. A rare case revealed an HIV patient on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) developed an aortic aneurysm due to accelerated atherosclerosis, not vasculitis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular dysfunction is an emerging complication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
  • HIV patients may develop vascular lesions, including large artery vasculopathy and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis.
  • Accelerated atherosclerosis is linked to protease inhibitors in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and lipodystrophy syndrome.

Observation:

  • A rare case of an HIV-infected patient on HAART presented with a large ascending aortic aneurysm.
  • The patient experienced symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation.
  • Pathological analysis of the aorta was performed.

Findings:

  • The aortic aneurysm was attributed to accelerated atherosclerosis.
  • Accelerated atherosclerosis was identified as the etiology, differing from the expected vasculitis.
  • This finding highlights a potential cardiovascular complication in HIV patients on HAART.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health in HIV patients, particularly those on HAART.
  • Accelerated atherosclerosis may be a significant factor in the development of aortic aneurysms in this population.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and long-term cardiovascular risks associated with HAART.

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