Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been associated with cardiac disease, including anatomical or functional disturbance to the heart. Cardiomyopathy (CMP) is one of these disturbances that have been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. In this review article, several aspects of potential relationships between HIV infection and cardiomyopathy development have been issued. Most studies indicated increased prevalence, incidence and mortality rates for CMP in the HIV infected patients, especially in more advanced grades of the infection. CD4 cell count has been shown to be associated with both incidence and outcome of HIV-related CMP. In children, also similar findings have been observed with high incidence and mortality rates associated with CMP-HIV have been observed. However, prepartum CMP burden in HIV infected mothers was not different than that in HIV-negative ones. However, evidence about the effects of ART on the development and progression of HIV-related CMP was very controversial. While is some studies, no associations have been found in some others, ART has been associated with either a better or worse disease incidence or condition. We propose more studies with prospective approach and large patient populations to be conducted for better understanding of the effects of different ART agents on the incidence and outcome of HIV-related CMP.