Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 13, 2025
High Throughput In Vitro Assessment of Latency Reversing Agents on HIV Transcription and Splicing
Published on: January 22, 2019
Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e: QT and Tp-e: QTc ratios in patients infected with HIV and using antiretroviral
Şükrü Çetin1, Ayşe Şabablı Çetin2, Emine Altuntaş1
1Department of Cardiology, Sancaktepe Şehit Prof Dr İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a risk for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study found prolonged T peak to T end (Tp-e) intervals and increased Tp-e ratios in HIV patients, linked to lower CD4 counts and reversed CD4:CD8 ratios.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a concern in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.
- The T peak to T end (Tp-e) interval is a predictor of SCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Tp-e interval and Tp-e ratios between HIV patients and healthy individuals.
- To identify factors affecting Tp-e interval in HIV patients.
Main Methods:
- Electrocardiography was performed on 83 HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 83 healthy controls.
- Tp-e, QT intervals, corrected QT (QTc) intervals, and Tp-e:QT and Tp-e:QTc ratios were calculated.
- CD4, CD8 T-cell counts, and HIV RNA levels were measured in HIV patients.
Main Results:
- HIV patients exhibited significantly longer Tp-e intervals and higher Tp-e:QT and Tp-e:QTc ratios compared to controls.
- Nadir CD4 count was an independent predictor of prolonged Tp-e interval.
- Lower nadir CD4 and CD4:CD8 ratio correlated negatively with Tp-e interval and Tp-e:QT ratio.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged Tp-e interval and elevated Tp-e ratios in HIV patients on ART are associated with low nadir CD4 and reversed CD4:CD8 ratios.
- Increased vigilance for SCD is warranted in HIV patients, particularly those with compromised immune status (low nadir CD4, reversed CD4:CD8 ratio).
Objective:
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the causes of death among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The T peak to T end interval (Tp-e interval) is a parameter that is used in the prediction of SCD. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in Tp-e interval and Tp: QT and Tp: corrected QT interval (QTc) ratios between patients infected with HIV and healthy individuals as well as in other factors affecting patients infected with HIV.
Methods:
A total of 83 patients infected with HIV with negative HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) levels who were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 83 healthy individuals were included in this study. All the participants underwent electrocardiography, their Tp-e and QT intervals were measured, and QTc intervals and Tp-e: QT and Tp-e: QTc ratios were calculated. In addition, in the patients infected with HIV, CD4 and CD8 T-cell count and HIV RNA levels were measured.
Results:
The Tp-e interval was found to be longer and the Tp-e: QT and Tp-e: QTc ratios were found to be higher in patients infected with HIV. Nadir CD4 was observed to be an independent predictor of Tp-e interval (p=0.014, β=‒0.28). Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation of the nadir CD4 level and CD4: CD8 ratio with Tp-e interval and Tp-e: QT ratio.
Conclusion:
Low nadir CD4 and a reversed CD4: CD8 ratio in patients infected with HIV receiving ART were found to be associated with a prolonged Tp-e interval and increased Tp-e: QT and Tp-e: QTc ratios. Thus, more attention should be taken in terms of SCD in patients infected with HIV, especially in those with low nadir CD4 and reversed CD4: CD8 ratio.
