STUDY OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS AND CAROTID INTIMAL THICKNESS (CIMT) AND THE EFFECT OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN THE CARDIOVASCULAR PROFILE AMONG HIV PATIENTS

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection has led to a considerable reduction in mortality and morbidity associated with the disease such that presently HIV is considered as a 'manageable' chronic disease. ART medications increase cardiovascular risk. Patients with HIV are at increased risk for premature cardiovascular disease. Our study aimed to evaluate the exaggerated cardiovascular risk in HIV patients on long term ART. We studied 100 HIV patients and 50 normal subjects in a tertiary multi-specialty hospital in south India which is also an Antiretroviral therapy center. We sought to compare the Carotid intimal media thickness (CIMT) by ultrasound scanning of carotids, Fasting lipid prole and fasting blood sugar of all the patients in the study. The CIMT and Framingham cardiac risk score was signicantly higher in HIV patients on ART compared to patients not on ART. This publication highlights the importance of evaluating cardiovascular risk before initiating ART as well as during follow up and make necessary changes in the treatment regimen to improve the quality of life of patients with HIV.