Echocardiographic findings and abnormalities in HIV-infected patients: results from a large, prospective, multicenter HIV-heart study
Nico Reinsch, Philipp Kahlert, Stefan Esser, Andreas Sundermeyer, Katrin Neuhaus, Norbert Brockmeyer, Anja Potthoff, Raimund Erbel, Thomas Buck, Till Neumann, Nico Reinsch, Philipp Kahlert, Stefan Esser, Andreas Sundermeyer, Katrin Neuhaus, Norbert Brockmeyer, Anja Potthoff, Raimund Erbel, Thomas Buck, Till Neumann
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the current study was to assess cardiac structure and function as well as cardiac abnormalities in a large patient-population based multicenter study of HIV-infected subjects.
Materials and methods: We enrolled 803 HIV-positive adults (83.4% men, mean age: 44.2 ± 10.3 yrs) in this prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. The study protocol included a standardized documentation of patient history, medical treatment and clinical examination. All subjects underwent a standardized transthoracic echocardiographic examination protocol including Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging.
Results: Echocardiographic measurements revealed a structural dilatation of the left ventricle in 10.1% of all HIV-infected subjects. Interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness were increased in 18.0% and 11.1%, respectively, with elevated muscle mass in 14.3% male and 19.4% female patients. Of all participants 13.5% exhibited a pathologic contraction characteristic of one or more myocardial segments. Prevalence of systolic and diastolic dysfunction was 34.3% and 48.0%, respectively. However, severe forms of ventricular dysfunction were rare.
Conclusions: In conclusion our results demonstrate the relevance of echocardiography in this patient-population in the era of antiretroviral therapy. Above all, left ventricular wall thickness and function should be controlled regularly in HIV-infected subjects. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01119729).
Keywords: AIDS; Echocardiography; HIV-Infection; cardiomyopathy.
Source: PubMed