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Biomarkers to predict cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV
Padraig McGettrick1, Patrick W G Mallon1,2
1Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), University College Dublin.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease risk prediction in people living with HIV (PWH) is challenging. This review examines novel biomarkers for identifying PWH at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major cause of illness and death in people living with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy.
- Traditional CVD risk algorithms are unreliable for PWH.
- Identifying reliable risk predictors is crucial for this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research (18-24 months) on biomarkers for CVD risk in PWH.
- To explore the potential of inflammatory markers and functional assays in CVD risk prediction.
- To assess the clinical utility of emerging biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on CVD biomarkers in PWH.
- Analysis of research on inflammatory markers and subclinical CVD.
- Examination of studies investigating monocyte/macrophage function in CVD pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Persistent associations exist between inflammatory markers and CVD in PWH.
- Few biomarkers have demonstrated clinical utility for improving CVD risk prediction.
- Functional assays of monocyte/macrophages show promise as predictors.
Conclusions:
- While associations are noted, clinically useful biomarkers for CVD risk in PWH are limited.
- Larger population studies are required to validate the utility of biomarkers.
- Further research is needed to refine CVD risk prediction models for PWH.
Purpose Of Review:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in antiretroviral treated people living with HIV (PWH) with risk score algorithms based on traditional risk factors being shown to be consistently unreliable in estimating risk in this population. This review aims to examine recent data published in last 18-24 months exploring biomarkers that may be useful in identifying PWH at risk of developing CVD.
Recent Findings:
Ongoing research explores the association of inflammatory biomarkers with subclinical CVD with few studies examining their clinical utility in improving CVD risk prediction. Further mechanistic studies explore the role of monocyte/macrophages in CVD pathogenesis with some studies examining functional assays as better predictors of CVD risk.
Summary:
Although persistent associations with inflammatory markers and CVD are demonstrated, few biomarkers have emerged as being clinically useful. Large population studies are needed to assess their utility in improving CVD risk prediction in PWH.
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