Left ventricular mass in HIV-infected patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• HIV infection is linked to increased vascular events and higher left ventricular mass (LVM).
• Elevated LVM is an independent predictor of mortality.
• Previous studies indicate HIV-infected individuals have greater LVM than uninfected populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the distribution of LVM in a large cohort of HIV-infected patients.
• To identify factors associated with increased LVM in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 400 HIV-infected patients.
• Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was used to measure LVM.
• Data collected included demographics, viroimmunological status, cardiovascular risk factors, and antiretroviral drug history.

Main Results:

• Mean LVM was 39.54g/m(2.7) in 388 patients.
• Factors associated with increased LVM included age, height, BMI, vascular risk at 10 years (VR10), hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular medications, and nevirapine use.
• Multivariate analysis identified VR10 and nevirapine use as significant factors.

Conclusions:

• Vascular risk at 10 years (VR10) may be associated with increased left ventricular mass.
• The association with nevirapine might be due to indication bias.