title: Endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with low or mild cardiovascular risk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected patients is associated with metabolic side effects, which could cause an increased cardiovascular risk in these patients. Non-invasive study of endothelial function by brachial artery ultrasound can detect subclinical atherosclerosis. Several studies have assessed endothelial function in HIV-infected patients with associated cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine endothelial function in HIV-infected patients under antiretroviral therapy with low or mild coronary risk and lipid levels within the normal range.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transversal study including 28 HIV-infected adults (15 receiving antiretroviral therapy and 13 naive) with low or mild cardiovascular risk and 12 healthy controls. Subjects with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, high cholesterol or high triglyceride levels were excluded. Endothelial function was determined with flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery by ultrasound study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treated HIV-infected patients had significantly lower FMD (5.93 +/- 3.56) than healthy controls (10.64 +/- 3.08, P = 0.008). Naive patients had an intermediate FMD, but this was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy who have low or mild cardiovascular risk and lipid levels within the normal range have endothelial dysfunction compared with healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario La Paz Madrid, Spain. juanjo.rios@gmail.com
authors.forename: Juan José Ríos
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Inés Suárez
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Jorge Gómez
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Cerezo
authors.forename: José María Peña Sánchez
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de Rivera
authors.forename: Pilar Moreno
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Anaya
authors.forename: Pilar García
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Raya
authors.forename: Juan González
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: José Ramón Arribas
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Francisco Javier Barbado
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Juan José Vázquez
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents