title: Does antiretroviral therapy increase or decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease?
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory process that has been identified as an important problem in persons with HIV infection. Epidemiologic studies have linked certain antiretroviral medications (some nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors) with a higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Conversely, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, entry inhibitors, and integrase inhibitors appear neutral. HIV infection is a chronic inflammatory process associated with endothelial dysfunction, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and a higher risk for CHD. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy in the short term appears to lower CHD risk, regardless of the specific agents used. However, adequately powered randomized trials of antiretroviral therapy with CHD as a primary end point are lacking. Thus, the evidence of whether antiretroviral therapy increases or decreases CHD risk in persons with HIV is perplexing. This article reviews the current controversy of the role of HIV and antiretroviral therapy in the development of cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0560, USA. Carl.fichtenbaum@uc.edu
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fichtenbaum
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009705:Nucleosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D009705:Nucleosides; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors