HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk for noncalcified coronary plaques, with lower nadir CD4-cell counts and longer antiretroviral therapy duration being associated with coronary artery stenosis >50%.
Several studies have noted increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction in HIV-infected patients. This increase has been attributed to direct effects — or metabolic complications — of antiretroviral therapy (ART), factors associated with the virus itself (including chronic immune activation), or both. Surrogate markers of atherosclerotic disease have been used to further characterize this risk in HIV-infected patients.
Now, as part of the large, prospective Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), researchers have used noncontrast cardiac computed tomography (CT) to measure coronary artery calcium (CAC) and CT angiography to assess plaque extent and characteristics. A total of 618 HIV-infected and 383 HIV-uninfecte…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardNIH Therapeutics and Prevention Data Safety Monitoring Board
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Board (member), Infectious Diseases Society of America (Vice President)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardNIH Therapeutics and Prevention Data Safety Monitoring Board
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Diseases Subspecialty Board (member), Infectious Diseases Society of America (Vice President)