HIV Infection and the Cardiovascular System

Better treatment and supportive care are prolonging the lives of patients with HIV, which is resulting in a higher prevalence of long-term effects of HIV. Autopsy and echocardiography studies support frequent involvement of the heart in advanced stages of HIV infection. The most common cardiac manifestations of HIV are dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, pericardial effusion, endocarditis, HIV-associated malignant neoplasms, and drug-related cardiotoxicity. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has prolonged many patients’ lives, but many cardiac sequelae of HIV are not affected by HAART and continue to develop even with treatment. In addition, HAART itself may be associated with an increase in peripheral artery and coronary artery diseases. This review focuses on the most recent knowledge about HIV-associated cardiovascular disease. Careful cardiovascular evaluation in the course of HIV disease can identify cardiac complications early enough to treat. In addition, the study of HIV-related cardiovascular disease may shed light on the mechanisms of non-HIV-related cardiovascular disease.