Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of HIV-positive patients in different stages of the disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate by Doppler echocardiography (DE) early abnormalities of ventricular function in HIV-positive patients, as well as other cardiac abnormalities that can be detected by this method, with special emphasis on mitral valve flow.


METHODS
84 HIV-positive patients, 59 with CD4 cell count > 500/mm3 (Group A) and 25 with CD4 cell count < 500/mm3 (Group B), were analyzed. CD4 cells were counted and matched with structural data and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV), as analyzed by DE. The results were compared with those obtained in 47 healthy individuals (Group C).


RESULTS
8% of patients in Group B had mild pericardial effusion; 31.5% showed decreased systolic function of the LV, and 12% had moderate mitral regurgitation. A wave velocity from the mitral inflow was different among the 3 groups, being higher in Group B, where the deceleration time of the E wave of the mitral inflow and the E/A ratio were significantly lower with a normal value of the isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT).


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-positive patients with a CD4 cell count > 500/mm3 had no abnormalities by DE. Patients with a more advanced infection (those with a CD4 cell count < 500/mm3), had a significantly abnormal LV systolic function and a higher incidence of pericardial effusion and mitral regurgitation. Mitral valve inflow by Doppler did not indicate diastolic dysfunction.
Werneck
G L
GL
Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mesquita
E T
ET
Romêo Filho
L J
LJ
Ribeiro
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000097:blood; D002452:Cell Count; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology
D015704:CD4 Antigens