A review published this month in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine details the increasing understanding of cardiomyopathy linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Researchers from institutions including Northwestern University and the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, contributed to the study, which examines the molecular mechanisms, clinical presentations, and treatment options for HIV-associated cardiomyopathy.
The review highlights a growing global health concern, noting that improved HIV survival rates, due to advances in antiretroviral therapy, are leading to a greater prevalence of long-term cardiovascular complications. Cardiac involvement in individuals with AIDS has been reported in between 28% and 73% of cases, according to research cited in the review.
The study focuses on the pathogenesis of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy, investigating how the virus impacts heart function. Recent advances in cardiac imaging and immunology are contributing to a deeper understanding of the disease process, according to a separate study published in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Researchers are exploring the role of persistent inflammation in the development of cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV, even those undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Inflammatory markers, such as IL-6 and C-reactive protein, have been identified as predictors of mortality in this population, as detailed in a 2022 report in Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS. The report further suggests that factors like clonal hematopoiesis, trained immunity, and lipidomics may contribute to chronic inflammation and accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in people with HIV.
The review published this month aims to provide clinicians and researchers with valuable insights into HIV-associated cardiomyopathy, a condition that requires further investigation and targeted treatment strategies.
