Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology
09:33

A Methodological Approach to Non-invasive Assessments of Vascular Function and Morphology

Published on: February 7, 2015

Arterial stiffness and carotid intima-media thickness in HIV infected patients

Anamaria Papita1, Adriana Albu, Daniela Fodor

  • 1Infectious Diseases Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. ancapapita@gmail.com

Medical Ultrasonography
|June 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) increase carotid artery intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness, contributing to higher cardiovascular risk in patients. This study highlights vascular changes associated with HIV and its treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant concern in HIV-infected individuals.
  • Both HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) contribute to increased CVD risk.
  • HIV can directly damage arterial walls, while ART may cause metabolic disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of HIV and ART on carotid artery intima-media thickness (C-IMT).
  • To assess the effects of HIV and ART on arterial stiffness parameters.
  • To evaluate the relationship between these vascular changes and cardiovascular risk in HIV patients.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional case-control study involving 63 HIV-infected patients (56 on ART, 7 ART-naive) and 36 controls.
  • Carotid artery intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and arterial stiffness were measured using ultrasonography.
  • Arterial stiffness parameters were assessed in the common carotid and brachial arteries.

Main Results:

  • HIV-infected patients exhibited significantly greater C-IMT compared to controls (p<0.01).
  • HIV patients showed altered arterial stiffness, including reduced carotid compliance (p<0.01).
  • Patients on reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI) had increased stiffness index and carotid PWV, and reduced compliance compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • HIV infection and ART are associated with increased C-IMT and arterial stiffness in large arteries.
  • These vascular modifications are potential contributors to the elevated cardiovascular risk observed in HIV-infected patients.
  • Further research is warranted to mitigate these treatment-related vascular complications.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness05:51

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness

Published on: May 3, 2018

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome06:04

Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
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...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...