Current assessment of heart rate variability and QTc interval length in HIV/AIDS

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a growing concern in people living with HIV (PLWH).
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs) offer insights into cardiac arrhythmias and autonomic dysfunction.
• Understanding ECG changes in PLWH is crucial for managing comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on QT and R-to-R intervals in relation to HIV status.
• To examine the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens on cardiac intervals.
• To synthesize findings on ECG parameters and their clinical significance in PLWH.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent studies comparing ECG intervals (QT, R-to-R) in HIV+ individuals.
• Analysis of data concerning ART-naive individuals and those on various ART regimens.
• Inclusion of studies across pediatric and adult populations.

Main Results:

• Prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval can occur in ART-naive HIV+ individuals.
• Certain ART drug classes may exacerbate QTc prolongation, predicting lethal arrhythmias.
• Reduced heart rate variability in HIV correlates with cardiorespiratory and inflammatory dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• ECG findings are clinically relevant across all ages and stages of HIV infection.
• These results underscore the importance of ECG monitoring in PLWH.
• Findings have implications for managing cardiovascular and inflammatory comorbidities in PLWH.