title: Non-calcified coronary plaque volume inversely related to CD4(+) T-cell count in HIV infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-calcified coronary artery plaque (NCAP) might be an important predictor of cardiovascular events; however, few studies have directly measured NCAP in HIV-infected individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We completed a prospective cross-sectional evaluation of NCAP and coronary calcium scores using computed tomography angiography in HIV-infected patients (n=26) without known coronary artery disease (CAD), but who had one or more CAD risk factor(s), and compared them with controls matched on age, race, sex, body mass index and Framingham Risk Score (n=26).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in coronary calcium scores (114 ± 218 versus 124 ± 298; P=0.89) or NCAP volume (65 ± 86 mm(3) versus 63 ± 82 mm(3); P=0.38) between HIV-infected patients and controls, respectively. Among HIV-infected patients, lower CD4(+) T-cell count was associated with increased NCAP volume (r=-0.52, P=0.006). The CD4(+) T-cell count remained a significant predictor of NCAP in a multivariate analysis that adjusted for age and duration of antiretroviral therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plaque burden is similar between HIV-infected and uninfected individuals when matched on traditional CAD risk factors; however, immune function might mediate the development of atherosclerosis in HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Jatin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Matta
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masur
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hadigan
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gharib
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents