Endothelial function in HIV-infected persons.
BACKGROUND
Several reports have suggested an increased risk of coronary disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving protease inhibitors (PIs). Impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation is a putative surrogate marker of coronary atherosclerotic disease.


METHODS
The present study evaluated the effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment on endothelial vasomotor function, by assessing brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). A total of 75 HIV-infected patients were compared with 223 control subjects who were presumed to be HIV uninfected.


RESULTS
HIV-infected patients had significantly impaired FMD, compared with control subjects (mean +/- SD, 7.3% +/- 4.4% vs. 11.1% +/- 6.3%; P < .0001). When adjustments were made for smoking status, sex, and body mass index, the difference between the 2 groups remained statistically significant (P < .01). In a cross-sectional analysis of the HIV-infected patients, we found significant associations between FMD and current injection drug use, hazardous drinking, HIV load, and alpha-high-density lipoprotein triglyceride levels, but not PI therapy. In a multivariate analysis, only current injection drug use and a lower alpha-high-density lipoprotein triglyceride level were significantly associated with FMD.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-infected patients have significant impairment of endothelial function, and this impairment is worse among those with elevated levels of HIV replication, particularly injection drug users.
Solages
Anthony
A
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Vita
Joseph A
JA
Thornton
David J
DJ
Murray
Jessica
J
Heeren
Timothy
T
Craven
Donald E
DE
Horsburgh
C Robert
CR
D000328:Adult; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*