Cardiovascular Diseases in HIV-infected Patients HIV-HEART Study: 5 Years Follow-up
Cardiovascular Diseases in HIV-infected Patients HIV-HEART Study: 5 Years Follow-up
HIV-infection is associated not only with a reduced function of the immune system, but also
 linked with diseases of other organ systems, in particular with the heart.

 Heart conditions that have been described with HIV include

 -  Pericarditis,

 -  Pleural effusion

 -  Pulmonary hypertension (Venedic classification typ II)

 -  Dilated cardiomyopathy

 -  Heart failure

 -  Myocarditis

 -  Bacterial endocarditis

 -  Heart valve disorders In addition to previously stated disorders of the heart, the
 premature atherosclerosis of coronary arteries, a further even more important disease of
 the heart in this patient population, went into the focus of most HIV-researchers and
 physicians.

 Premature atherosclerosis of coronary arteries results in coronary calcification, angina
 pectoris, myocardial infarction and sudden death. HIV-positive patients are at greater risk
 for a variety of heart-related conditions, including coronary artery disease. It is assumed,
 that HIV infection doubles the risk of a heart attack, according to recent research.

 The reason for this link between HIV and heart-related conditions is unknown, but secondary
 infections that affect the heart muscle and coronary arteries have a greater chance of
 occurring in people with compromised immune systems. In addition, the HI-virus itself had
 been detected in the myocardium and might have an impact on the premature of cardiovascular
 diseases.

 Furthermore, some of the medications used to treat HIV patients (antiretroviral therapy, ART)
 are assumed to have heart-related side effects.

 Therefore, current treatment regimens for HIV infection have to be balanced against the
 marked benefits of antiretroviral treatment. Nevertheless, prevention of coronary heart
 disease should be integrated into current treatment procedures of HIV-infected patients.

 The link between the heart and HIV is well established but not well understood. Therefore,
 further results are needed for efficient guidelines for the prevention, diagnostic and
 therapy of HIV-associated cardiovascular diseases.
A comprehensive detailed description of the study procedures had been previously published
 (European Journal of medical research 2007;12:243-248).
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age > 18 years

 -  Known HIV-infection

 -  Written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Acute cardiovascular disease

 -  Unstable hemodynamic status in the three weeks before inclusion

 -  Pregnancy