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Late potentials and their relation to ventricular function in human immunodeficiency virus infection
1Department of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. 20037.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Signal-averaged electrocardiograms revealed that late potentials are common yet transient in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These cardiac findings were not linked to contractile issues or arrhythmias in the HIV-positive patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can affect cardiac function.
- Signal-averaged electrocardiography (SAECG) is used to detect cardiac electrical abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and temporal characteristics of late potentials in HIV-infected patients.
- To assess the relationship between late potentials, left ventricular contractility, and arrhythmias in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal study involving 225 HIV-infected patients and 12 seronegative controls.
- Serial SAECGs were performed at 4-month intervals to assess QRS duration, root-mean-square voltage, and low-amplitude signal duration.
- Echocardiography was used to evaluate left ventricular contractility.
Main Results:
- Abnormal SAECG variables were found in 26% of HIV patients at baseline.
- Late potentials were common but also frequently transient, with many patients showing normalization or new abnormalities over time.
- No significant correlation was observed between late potentials and left ventricular contractile abnormalities or clinical arrhythmias.
Conclusions:
- Late potentials are a frequent but dynamic finding in HIV-infected individuals.
- The presence of late potentials in HIV patients does not appear to be associated with impaired cardiac contractility or increased risk of arrhythmias.