Cardiovascular disease and risk assessment in people living with HIV: Current practices and novel perspectives

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• The growing population of aging people living with HIV (PLWH) face a substantial burden of CVD, leading to morbidity and mortality.
• Current CVD risk assessment in PLWH is challenging, necessitating improved tools and protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between HIV infection and CVD, including contributing risk factors in PLWH.
• To report current practices and novel perspectives in cardiovascular risk assessment for PLWH.
• To provide insights for developing and implementing effective CVD risk stratification and treatment strategies, especially in resource-limited, high-HIV-burden settings.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of current evidence on HIV and CVD.
• Analysis of existing risk assessment tools and protocols for PLWH.
• Exploration of novel approaches and clinical practices in CVD risk assessment.

Main Results:

• HIV infection independently contributes to increased CVD risk.
• Specific risk factors exacerbate CVD in PLWH.
• Existing risk assessment tools may not fully capture CVD risk in PLWH.

Conclusions:

• Accurate CVD risk stratification is essential for PLWH.
• Development of tailored screening and management protocols is needed.
• Addressing CVD in PLWH is critical, particularly in resource-limited settings.