HAART to heart: highly active antiretroviral therapy and the risk of cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected or exposed children and adults

Abstract

Infection with HIV is independently associated with an increased risk for clinical heart failure, cardiomyopathies and premature atherosclerosis, including stroke and myocardial infarction in both the pre-HAART and HAART eras. HAART is also associated with clinical cardiovascular concerns. In HIV-infected individuals, HAART may cause adverse lipid profiles and increased risk for cardiovascular events. Its effects on the developing heart remain unclear. Although in utero HAART exposure may improve cardiac function in the first 2 years of life, it may also inhibit myocardial growth. Additional potentially damaging cardiovascular effects of HAART are present, and continuing cardiovascular risk evaluations, screening and follow-up of treated patients is necessary. Here, we review available research in this field and highlight the importance of understanding known complications and their mechanisms.

Keywords::

• AIDS
• antiretroviral therapy
• cardiovascular disease
• heart
• HIV
• vasculature

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Notes

Reproduced with permission from [42].