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Published on: October 6, 2016
[Cardiac diseases in HIV-seropositive patients]
1Medizinischen Klinik, Klinikum Salzgitter GmbH.
Insights
HIV-associated heart conditions significantly worsen prognosis, especially with low CD4 counts or encephalopathy. Regular echocardiography is crucial for early detection in all HIV patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Context:
- HIV-associated cardiopathies present a poor prognosis, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
- Cardiac complications in HIV include opportunistic infections, endocarditis, neoplasia, and pulmonary hypertension.
- Antiretroviral therapies, antibiotics, and chemotherapeutics can induce cardiotoxicity.
Purpose:
- To review the multifactorial pathogenesis of HIV-associated heart conditions.
- To discuss limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis associated with cardiac manifestations.
- To highlight the importance of echocardiography for early screening in asymptomatic HIV patients.
Summary:
- HIV-associated heart disease has a multifactorial origin and limited treatment strategies.
- Cardiac manifestations like effusions, infections, and neoplasia indicate a poor prognosis.
- Vascular diseases may develop prematurely in patients on combination antiretroviral treatment.
Impact:
- Echocardiography offers a noninvasive, inexpensive screening method for early detection of cardiac issues.
- Annual echocardiography is recommended for all asymptomatic HIV patients to monitor cardiac health.
- Understanding cardiotoxicity of various treatments is vital for managing HIV patients.
Abstract:
HIV-associated cardiopathies have a poor prognosis, in particular in patients with low CD4 counts or accompanying encephalopathy. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and the therapeutic options are limited. Pericardiac effusions are also associated with a poor prognosis. Other cardiac manifestations of HIV infection are opportunistic infections, infectious endocarditis (in particular i.v. drug use), neoplasia, and pulmonary hypertension. Premature development of vascular diseases is often observed in patients receiving combination antiretroviral treatment. A number of antiretroviral agents, but also antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents have cardiotoxic side effects. Echocardiography is a good, noninvasive and inexpensive screening method that should be performed at least once a year in all asymptomatic HIV patients.
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